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Theresa Clark

August 9, 1944 ~ May 29, 2023

Theresa Ann Clark, 78, passed away May 29, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the love of family and close friends. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the Mass. Burial: Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Born to Dorothy (Hartl) and Robert Vislisel on August 9, 1944, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Theresa was the sister of Jim, (Melanii Torrence), Rita (Jack Wiese), Nancy (Greg Norlin), David (Julie Peters), and Dianne (Dave Graham). She married the love of her life, Douglas Lee Clark, on November 28, 1964. By her account it was love at first sight when she saw him through the window of her school bus, and she was fond of recalling how they fell for each other while dancing at the community center as teenagers. Their inspiring union has been more than 58 years strong. Theresa didn't seek the spotlight'but she deserved one. She graduated September 5, 1966, from St Luke's School of Nursing, Davenport, Iowa as an RN. She worked for more than 38 years at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids where she was an admired and dedicated nurse. Although she was soft-spoken, she held herself and her colleagues to a high standard. Together with Doug she raised two sons, William (Jill Wolrab) of Mount Vernon and Jeffrey (Brenda Bremner) of Cedar Falls, in whom she instilled the importance of hard work and commitment to education. She was proud to see those values reflected in her grandchildren: Hannah and Colden (Bill) and Gabriel and Jenna (Jeff). She cherished time spent with her siblings, nieces and nephews, in-laws and the rest of her wonderful extended family and lifelong friends, who are too numerous to list. Theresa felt blessed to have been able to enjoy many giggles with them, whether playing cards on a lakeside porch in Minnesota or sharing a freshly baked kolache. Theresa loved wildflowers, gardening, making cornhusk dolls, crocheting, collecting antiques, and playing Scrabble. She and Doug nurtured Iowa's largest apple tree, which bore beautiful fruit for the many pies she baked. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Jenigiri and staff for their kindness and care. Memorials may be directed to the nursing department through the St. Luke's Foundation or to the Mount Vernon Community School District Alumni Association.

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  1. We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon

  2. I will always remember my first trip to Minnesota with Theresa and the Wiese family. We had so much fun and Theresa was such a joy to be around. I will never forget that she shares her birthday with Smokey the Bear. I’m so sorry for your loss, prayers for the whole family.

  3. Theresa was such a pleasure to care for and her husband Doug was so pleasant to talk with. That night I took him out to his car he shared with me some of the fine memories of the two of them and it was so lovely and inspiring. Theresa was very wise and I enjoyed talking with her about being a nurse as I am still in school to become one and her children!! Getting to know a patient is truly my favorite part of the job and Theresa made that very easy. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts and prayers are will you and your family Doug.

  4. I’ve been blessed to have enjoyed everything from awesome meals to laughter with her. I have joined with the family on a fishing trip to Minnesota. She definitely raised two fine young men one “Bill” was the best man in my wedding. I will miss her cheerful laugh and positive outlook on life. Prayers for the family 🙏 God Bless her.

  5. We would like to share our deepest sympathies to Doug and his entire family. Theresa was such a beautiful woman and just a gentle soul. I always enjoyed my conversations with her and she was a wonderful neighbor.

  6. Doug and family.
    We just recently became aware of Theresa’s passing. Linda and I would like to extend to you our deepest sympathies for your loss.


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