Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Barbara Agnes Clark

Barbara Agnes Clark died July 17, 2021, after a day of activities with friends and family.

Born October 18, 1931, to Mamie (Bierlein) and Kenneth Stoddard at the Kirk and Agnes Stoddard place (presently Ista’s old house). Living on Elkhorn Creek and going to country schools, mainly Happy Hollow, Barbara and younger sister Betty grew up as ranch kids.

High school found her in Iowa, with Mamie as a telephone operator and Barbara working in a drug store as Kenneth struggled with Multiple Sclerosis. The Stoddard family living with different families and limited income probably left Barbara with a sense of thrift.

After graduating from Hulett High School in 1949, she attended Black Hills Teacher College and taught country schools in the area.

Meeting a young cowboy at a country dance led to a 1950 marriage to Dee Clark and the beginning of a family and a ranch life. Merle (1951), Denise (1952) and Cleve (1957) moved with Dee and Barbara to different jobs and various leased ranches as they built their dandy sheep and cattle operation, ending up on Elkhorn Creek and then retirement in 2006.

Family was always first for Mom and Grandma and the death of Cleve in 2008 and Dee in 2012 left a void and Barbara stepped to the plate and did her best to be there for the remaining family.

Bible study, family history, quilting, cards and time with friends all took a back seat to worrying about keeping the family wagon tongue pointed to her version of the North Star.

On June 12, Barbara hosted a get-together barbeque celebration that was attended by her children, grandkids, and great-grandkids and was a tribute to a grand couple with Western values and work principles.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Betty Rush, Hulett; children, Merle (Susan) Clark, Hulett and Denise (Dave) Wagner, Hulett; grandchildren, Justin (Sylvia) Wagner, Wernitzgrun, Germany, Jodi (Tom) Edwards, Busby, Montana, Jared (Hailey) Wagner, Hulett, Spencer (Karyn) Clark, Riverton, Sydne (Tim) Muratore, Denver, Colorado, Lauren Clark, Hulett, Mitchell Clark, Hulett, Danya Clark, Belle Fourche, South Dakota, Darcy (Patrick) Clark-Connelly, Torrington and Curtis (Shawney) Clark, Torrington. Preceding her in death were her parents, Kenneth and Mamie Stoddard; husband, Dee and son, Cleve.

Graveside services will be held at Moore Hill Cemetery at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, followed by lunch at CHCC. Pastor Jim Palus will officiate. Memorials may be Hulett Baptist Church, GHCC and the Hulett EMS.

Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com