Margie Anna Clark of Richland returned to her Heavenly Father July 13, 2001 at the Richland Life Care Center.

Margie suffered a heart attack on May 20, 2001. She was born November 5,1921 to Esther and Lester Odren in Neligh, Nebraska, the second of two girls.

At the tender age of sixteen, having graduated from Tilden High School, her parents allowed her to attend the University of Nebraska only if she majored in teaching. After earning sufficient funds teaching, she returned to the university to study business and secretarial sciences. In state typing and stenography competitions she earned top awards.

While a student, she met the love of her life, a handsome engineering student, Lyle Leland Clark. They married May 24, 1941 at his first duty station, Little Rock, Arkansas. Their unusual honeymoon was spent at an alligator farm accompanied by Lyle's parents Nelle and Wilson Clark and his younger sister, Leta.

Margie spent most of World War II in Tilden Nebraska where three of their four children were born. The family moved to Denver, Colorado where Lyle spent three years at Fitzsimmons Hospital recovering form war injuries. Their last child was born in Denver. After spending a total of nine years in the mile high city they moved to California.

Margie and Lyle spent many hours supporting their children's participation on drill teams, sports, scouts, church and musical and educational activities. Many fond memories remain of monthly musical get together at home in Santa Rosa, California.

After the children left home, Margie and Lyle retired to their second career operating the PROM Bicycle Shop in Seaside, Oregon. This business is still in the Clark Family, operated by their son Lester and his son Joseph. For many years they were active in early CB radio public assistance as members of the REACT Chapter Radio Emergency Associated Communications Team located on the Oregon coast.

After their second retirement, Margie and Lyle became snowbirds, wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona and traveling during the summer. They enjoyed competition shuffleboard and the sunshine of warm Arizona winters.

Margie moved to Richland full time five years ago. Her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meant a great deal to her. She avidly followed the construction of the Columbia River Temple.

Having always been an avid sports fan, she became a diehard Seattle Mariner's fan, never missing a televised game. She never became a Washington college sports fan. Native born Nebraskan's require their college teams to wear ''Big Red'' uniforms.

Margie was a very unique person. As her home teacher once remarked ''Margie is person of strong will''. As a family, we often joked that she would be late for her own funeral. Looking back over her almost eighty years and the trials she endured one can't but think of the quote by Spencer W. Kimball, ''Physical strength is measured by what one can carry, spiritual by what one can bear.'' In St. John 14:27 we read, ''Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…´ We have a strong testimony that Mom is at peace and know she would want her ''Family'' to also be at peace.

Her four children survive Margie: Judith K. Gowey of Richland, WA. Mrs. Jean La Flamme of San Mateo, Ca. Mr. Lester Clark of Seaside, Or. and Mrs. Mary Berube of Eloy, AZ. She is the grandmother of 16 and the great grandmother of 10. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren.

Margie was proceeded in death by her husband Lyle Leland Clark and two granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held at the LDS Chapel located at 1321 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, Washington at 3 PM on Tuesday July 17th. Her burial will be next to her eternal companion in the Odren family plot located in the Orchard, Nebraska Cemetery. In Liu of donation please feel free to bring flowers.