Donald W Clark

Donald “Don” Clark, age 92, of Willmar, formerly of the Murdock area, died Thursday, June 18th at Carris Health Care Center in Willmar. Visitation will be held Friday, July 17th from 6-8 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. Visitation will resume on Saturday, July 18th from 10-11 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., at the church. Fr. Jeremy Kucera will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heath Catholic Church Cemetery.

Donald Wesley Clark was born March 5, 1928 in rural Kerkhoven, the son of Edward Theodor and Ruth Margaret (Schutt) Clark. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Kerkhoven Lutheran Church. He grew up in rural Kerkhoven and went to Buffalo Lake Country School through eighth grade and graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1946 where he had participated in football, basketball, and baseball. On February 27, 1954, Donald was united in marriage to Hazel Laura Rooney in Belgrade, Minnesota by Fr. Lenarz. This union was blessed with more than 66 years of marriage and seven children.

Donald was a Dairy Farmer in Swift and Pope Counties. In his early days, he worked for Northern States Power Company in Hugo, MN. He then transitioned to dairy and grain farming in Buffalo Lake, MN. In 1957, Hazel and Donald purchased their family farm in Kerkhoven Township, Swift County, and lived there until retirement. Donald and Hazel farmed with two of their sons, Kim and Kyle, until his passing.

Donald was a delegate director with AMPI, Associated Milk Producer’s Inc., and a member of Minnesota Wool Growers Association. He was awarded Swift County Soil Conservation District Outstanding Farmer in 1958 and 2001. He was a true conservationist with greatest attention to soil and water management. Donald was an adult Hayes Willing Workers 4H Leader for multiple years and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock, MN. He loved farming, hunting, fishing, rodeos, and watching his children and grandchildren’s sporting activities. He was an avid fan of the MN Twins, MN Vikings, and Norway Lake Baseball. As a young man he was a member of the Swift Falls Baseball team and was a catcher for multiple small town baseball leagues. Donald, his boys, and friends also enjoyed hunting big game in Montana and Wyoming.

Donald passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Carris Health Care Center in Willmar. He attained 92 years of age. Donald is survived by his wife, Hazel Clark of Willmar; his children: Kevin Clark of Ben Wheeler, TX, Keith (Bit) Clark of Overland Park, KS, Kim Clark of Murdock, Kaye (Thomas) Dooley of Spicer, Kyle (Jackie) Clark of Murdock, Kris (friend, Trena) Clark of Glenwood, and Kirsten (Kyle) Kopacek of Lake Park; 12 grandchildren: Dr. Anne (Bracey) Lerner, Justin (Kirstin) Anderson, Joshua (Kristi) Dooley, Brittany Dooley, Chelsa (Jon) Lien, Ali (Andrew) Bouta, Aaron Clark, Benjamin Clark, Karter Kopacek, Kaitlyn Kopacek, Kaden Kopacek, and Karson Kopacek; 5 great-grandchildren: Thomas White, Marcus Lien, Mason Lien, Maddox Lien, and Sophia Bouta; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Ruth Clark; and his sister, Dorothy Pederson. Blessed be the memory of Donald Wesley Clark.

Memorials are preferred to KMS FFA Chapter in care of: C/O Kyle Clark 1275 45th St. NE Murdock, MN 56271; and Carris Hospice: 502 2nd St. SW #1 Willmar, MN 56201.