CLARK, Helen (Tommie)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ >>> Published on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 <<< >>> Helen "Tommie" Clark, Dec. 6, 1925 — July 31, 2015 <<< Tommie Clark, 89, born Dec. 6, 1925 in Lewistown, Mont., to Ruth and Julius “Earl” Boller. She passed away July 31, at MorningStar Senior Living, Billings, Mont. The third of six girls raised on a large farm near Denton, Mont., she worked alongside her father learning the family farm. Imagine his surprise upon announcing she wanted to go to Ohio to study ceramics; instead, he suggested Home Ec at MSU, to learn something about house and home. She taught in Deer Lodge and after receiving her Masters, at MSU. Tommie enjoyed her college years, where she was a member of AOII and where she met her husband Ralph Clark. They were married for 48 years until his death in 1996. In 1953, Tommie and Ralph took their small children, Jack and Lee to Chile where Ralph worked for the U.S. State Department; moving to Costa Rica in 1958. After completing these international assignments they moved to Manhattan, Mont., bought a cattle ranch and raised Herefords and later mink. Once her sons graduated from high school she joined Ralph, again working for the government, in Vietnam. Putting her education to work, she worked for the GSA. As the war came to a close they accepted a position in Swaziland in Southern Africa. In 1976, they returned to Bigfork, Mont. and built their dream home. Tommie filled her retirement years with things she loved - spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, bird-watching, cross-country skiing, bridge, art, taking local college courses, PEO, golf, and investment clubs, keeping a close eye on the stock market. For the last 20 years Tommie spent her winters in Lake Havasu City enjoying the abundant sun and very good friends. Tommie is survived by two sisters, Ruth Eastman and Peg Lindberg and their families; daughter-in-law, Teresa Clark; grandson, Craig Clark and children; granddaughter, Michelle Pfile and children; grandson, Greg Clark and family; and granddaughter, Angela Clark.