Ethel was born in Elgin, Nebraska to Elvin W Hower and Eliza L Youngs Hower. Ethel had one brother, Don C Hower. She worked for Farm Aid living in small towns throughout Nebraska during the war. After the war she moved to Denver and went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation where she met Orval Clarkson.
They were married in 1947 and had 4 children; Dael Orval (Charlene), Lyn deLee (Chuck), Greg Allen and Gann Elvin (Linda). Orval continued to work for the Bureau of Reclamation and moved around Colorado and the Midwest as the children were growing up. They retired in Denver in 1971 and lived in the Littleton area for the rest of their lives.
Ethel and Orval loved to travel. They spent many happy hours driving around the west and Canada.
She was proud of her family and is survived by 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than a visit from her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orval and her brother, Don.