Christopher ‘Chris’ Clark

Published by admin on Mon, 02/05/2024 - 2:10pm

1966 – 2024

IDA GROVE - Chris Clark, 57, unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at the Skate Palace of Ida Grove. Pastor Tyler Parson will officiate. A Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at the Arthur Evangelical Free Church of Arthur.

Graveside Services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in the Williams Township Cemetery of rural Williams, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Memorials may be directed to the family to be donated in honor of Chris’ name to a cause dear to him.

On April 12, 1966, Christopher “Chris” K. Clark was welcomed into the world in Cherokee. He was the fifth child (out of eight) of Keith and Norma (Rupp) Clark. Like many folks in the Midwest, Chris grew up on a farm. His family farmed north of Quimby, and those growing-up years provided him with a broad base of experiential knowledge about crops and ignited his later career interests in agriculture. He graduated from Willow Community Schools in 1984, and graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Ag Studies: Farm Operations in 1989.

In 1998, Chris met the love of his life, Marjorie Williams, on a blind date in Storm Lake. After a wonderful courtship, they were married on April 7, 2000. Chris and Marj have been a great team as they raised their two children, Truman (21) and Ruthie (19), and served together, side-by-side, in business, church ministry, and community projects.

You may have encountered Chris in any of his roles related to agriculture. He was a crop and seed advisor, agronomist, plot manager for corn research, independent crop consultant, online auction sales rep, and he was recently employed with Midwest Land Management and Real Estate. Perhaps you met him at Hidden Acres Christian Center as the Advancement Director and a Board Member. Maybe you knew him through his ministry at CrossRidge Evangelical Free Church as an Elder and Member. You might have just rubbed shoulders with him at other local activities or when he was attending and supporting his children’s many ambitions.

It didn’t matter who you were or how you met him, you wouldn’t be a stranger to Chris Clark for long. Offering a warm smile, a handshake, a little wave, or a shared prayer, Chris was always willing to go the extra mile to develop soul-level relationships. His saying – “getting under the hood” – referred to knowing people deeper than the surface. He consistently got down on a knee to talk to kids, making them feel seen and valuable. Chris additionally loved to make people laugh; his dad jokes and wisecracks (ones which edified, never berated) were always sure to bring a smile. His belly laughs and big hugs could be felt long after leaving a conversation.

Chris was also a man that knew God. He didn’t merely know about God, but he knew Him as someone knows a close friend. The truest delight in his heart was to serve and love others, as he knew God had first loved him. He loved to share his faith boldly and tell others about the imperishable, living hope that he had in Christ Jesus. Chris was not a perfect person, but he knew that Jesus had taken the wrath of God so that he would never have to. He knew God’s grace had led him safe thus far, and he knew God’s grace would lead him home.

Now, Chris is enjoying that eternal home in heaven. Left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are his wife, Marjorie Clark; children Truman and Ruth; mother Norma Jean (Rupp) Clark; siblings: Barbara (Dean) Johnson, Joe Clark (Tim Fisher), Julie (Mike) Luken, Beth Clark, Jennifer (Rich) Zaber, and Wendy Clark; and sister-in-law Barbie Clark. Additionally, he is survived by his parents-in-law Donald and Joan Williams; sister-in-law Marsha (Joel) Jacobson; brother-in-law Mike (Doreen) Williams; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and friends.

Chris was preceded in death by his father Keith Warren Clark; brother Mark Fredrick Clark; grandparents Fred E. and Rosella Clark; and Fred N. and Matilda (Tilly) Rupp.

Services: Feb. 6, Skate Palace, Ida Grove

Burial: Feb. 7, Williams Township Cemetery, Williams, Iowa

Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home • Ida Grove • 712-364-2727