Obituary of Elizabeth Jane Clark

Elizabeth Jane Clark

September 22, 1940- April 6, 2024

Elizabeth “Jane” Clark, 83, passed away peacefully at home in Saint Paul on April 6, 2024 after a brief illness.

Jane was born in Del Norte, Colorado, the daughter of Kenneth and Frances Taber. With her father’s career in the US Forest Service, Jane spent her formative years in several locations throughout the mountain west. While living in Deadwood, South Dakota, she met George Clark, the elder brother of her friend Julia. Jane and George kept in close contact, then married in 1959, and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this August.

In 1969, Jane, George, and their children settled in Minot, North Dakota, where they enjoyed over forty years of community life. Jane sang in their church choir, the Sweet Adelines chorus, played percussion in the Minot City Band, and was active in various community groups. Jane's cooking brought the family together every evening and favorite dishes resulted in fond memories for all who shared her meals. In addition to keeping her four children well fed, she enthusiastically supported and encouraged them to explore their interests and further their education. She especially enjoyed hosting international visitors and was a host-mom to several foreign exchange students. Her continued relationships with them led to travel, German language study, and a love of Switzerland.

Jane had a gift for connecting with children and after raising her family, she made use of her education degree from Colorado State College, teaching reading skills at Minot elementary schools. She loved to find “the perfect book” that would spark a child’s interest in reading.

Following Minot’s disastrous flood in 2011, Jane and George moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, to be close to two of their children. There, they quickly adapted to their new community, joined a nearby church, enjoyed more family time, and participated in many new musical opportunities offered by the larger metropolitan area.

Quick to make others feel welcome, Jane enjoyed meeting new people and greeted everyone with a big smile, an infectious laugh, and genuine interest and caring. She was a beloved member of her community and will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Jane is survived by her husband George, her children: Bob (Monique) Clark, Ken (Lynn) Clark, Ned (Anne) Clark, Julie (Jeff) Steiner, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Taber, and George’s three siblings who have been like her own for these many years.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 1pm in Coventry Chapel at Episcopal Homes, 1880 University Avenue West, St Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Fairmount Avenue UMC-United Women of Faith Missions or to Keystone Community Services, St Paul.