Clark, Alberta, 88, passed away, Monday, March 18, 2013. She was born on February 23, 1925, the daughter of H. Harold and Ethel (Martin) Becker, Topeka, KS. She moved to Wichita for the WWII war effort where she met her future husband, Ernest (EB) Clark, Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her sisters, Betty, Naomi, and Vera Mae Becker of Topeka and granddaughter Christina Wrenn Stoltz of Northern Virginia. Survivors include her daughter, Jeanne Clark of Wichita and son, John (Carmen) Clark, Leesburg, VA. Grandchildren are John (JC) (Kamila) Clark, Jennifer Wrenn, and David (Jake) (Erica) Wrenn, all of northern Virginia and three great grandchildren, Alexandra, Brooke, and Kai. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Sunday, at Hillside West Funeral Home, 2929 W. 13th. A memorial service will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Central Community Church, 6100 W Maple, Wichita, 67209. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Motivators Class of the church. www.HillsideFuneralHomeWest.com .
Alberta was born in Topeka, KS on February 23, 1925. She was married to EB Clark Jr. when she was 20 and was married a month shy of 50 years. She had two children, Jeanne and John, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Her parents were Harold Becker and Ethel Martin. Harold was born in Meriden, KS and Ethel was born near Rock Creek, both just outside Topeka. Her ancestors moved from Ohio and Pennsylvania, immigrating from Germany, Scotland and Ireland. She had three sisters, Vera May and Naomi were older and Betty the youngest.
She grew up in Topeka on Washburn St, the name changed to MacVickar. She went to Boswell Jr High and Topeka High. Her dad was a master craftsman and mechanic and ran a successful repair business in a shop on the property.
Her family, especially she and her dad, loved to fish. They would camp out and fish often when she was growing up. Alberta inherited that love of fishing. When Jeanne and John were attending Bryant Elementary, they would walk home for lunch. Mom would have lunches fixed and the poles in the car. And off they would go. John says how cool was that? Mom helped us play hooky and took us fishing to boot and could skin a fish faster than anyone, except for her Dad. More importantly, she provided her children with an education and knowledge no books could match.
The late 1930s and early 40s, were tough times for Alberta. She idolized her oldest sister Vera May who died suddenly in 1939. They moved to Wichita for the war effort and her sister Betty died in 1943. She lost her mother in early 1944. However, these loses shaped her strength of character.
There were some happy times though. She was proud to be a “Rosie the Riveter” and then worked at Beech Aircraft. There she met EB and they married on July 21, 1944. Jeanne came along in 1945 and John in 1947. They lived in Maize, KS until 1952.
The family moved to Wichita and lived with Grandpa Clark for several years. Jeanne and John started school at OK, where EB, his dad, and granddad attended. From OK, Jeanne and John went to Bryant when it opened and on to Hadley.
EB’s dad had given them some land and Alberta’s dad started building a house. EB’s brother-in-law Henry came to town and wired the house. It took two years to build and the family moved in on Thanksgiving Day, 1954. Alberta, until her passing, and Jeanne live in the home at 9th and West for almost 60 years.
She was always appreciative of the Clark family and EB’s brothers and sisters. She was especially close to her sisters-in-law Helen Oldfather and Winnie Edminster as they lived just across the wheat field and they had coffee almost every day. She thoroughly enjoyed all the nieces and nephews. All of the brothers and sisters are now gone, Alberta was the last. Many of the nieces and nephews, and their families reside in Wichita today.
EB continued to work at Beech until he retired. Alberta was a teller at Commerce Bank until she retired. However, “traditional “ retirement was not an option for these two…and together they launched a new “career.” Neither was ready to settle for the rocking chairs on the porch scenario. They, instead, kicked it up several notches! And they gave it their all. That was the best times of their years together. Alberta was an artist with the sewing machine and created beautiful works of art… matching square dance outfits for she and her Rock (as she always referred to EB).
Most significant was the love, dedication and devotion to their children. Together they provided unconditional love to Jeanne and John. Not only through their children’s young years but throughout their lives. Alberta was a fierce Momma Bear and protected not only her children but her grandchildren as well. Unfortunately her Rock, EB passed away suddenly in 1994. The strength of a person is measured in how they deal with life. Alberta demonstrated the inner strength and resiliency that she learned long ago…she stood strong. She was tough on the outside but always possessed a gentle heart. She persevered through many challenges while dealing with declining health for the past 20 years. She willed herself to care for her beloved Jeanne as long as she could. Her last act of love was attempting to drive Jeanne to get her much-loved treat at MacDonalds. (double cheeseburger!) There is no greater sacrifice than a Mother’s love.
Alberta was deeply devoted to her family. She was always proud to talk about her grandchildren, Jennifer, Jake, and JC and her great grandchildren, Alexandra, Brooke and Kai. Even though they lived in half way across the country they were always close to her heart.
Alberta started attending the Bible Study Group at Central Community Church after EB died. She attended regularly and volunteered in the church office for a number of years. She attended until her health and stubborn independent living kept her close to home. She loved the church and her friends that she made here at Central Community. The church friends became a large part of her family and she spoke highly of their support. When John and his family would come to town, they would attend church with Alberta.
In her last few years, she would take Jeanne to the doctor and make several trips a week to Dillons and MacDonalds (Jeanne loves the double cheese burger) making sure that Jeanne was well supplied and healthy. The family tried to suggest that Assisted Living or in home health care would ease her workload. However, she was too independent and protective of Jeanne to listen.
She suffered from COPD and used oxygen in the home and while she was driving. The effects were becoming more debilitating and about two weeks ago her body could no longer sustain the pressure even though her mind willed her to keep going. She finally gave up the good fight while in the car taking care of Jeanne’s needs. That is a true legacy of a Mother. She loved deeply. At first, she was expected to be in the hospital for a week, but her condition progressively declined. The supporting medical equipment turned into life support equipment and it became clear that she was not going to survive. Alberta died in the early morning of March 18, 2013.
Alberta will always be remembered in the hearts of her children and grandchildren and those who knew and loved her as one amazing woman. No greater love. She will be missed and cherished by many. Thank you Mom.
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