Irene Rose Clark

Irene Rose (Klein) Clark, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday, April 20, 2015, in Phoenix, AZ. A Vigil will be held at 6:00 PM, Friday, May 1, 2015 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends and family during this time. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St. Edwards Catholic Church, with Father Pasala Hruday Kumar officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Irene was born December 23, 1925, in Custer County, Oklahoma, to Anthon Alexander and Katherine Bertha (Kreizenbeck) Klein and grew up on the family farm near Arapaho. She was one of 13 children. Irene attended Arapaho High School and met her future husband, Lawrence Eldon Clark there in 1943. Eldon and Irene were married May 28, 1947. They were married 64 years before Eldon died on September 7, 2011. Irene's first job was at First National Bank in Clinton, Oklahoma, after graduation from high school. She and Eldon moved to Carlsbad in 1949 to join the family feed store business. Eldon soon went to work at the potash mines and Irene was a stay-at-home mom with her children until they were all in school. In 1964, she and Eldon began working with her brothers at Klein's Dairy. They operated a drive-through dairy store at the corner of 2nd and Texas Street for many years. They also developed a route delivery and retail sales in area supermarkets. Irene accepted a job at JC Penney's in Carlsbad in the late 60's and in 1970 she was named the catalog manager, a position she held until her retirement in 1987. Irene took great pleasure in getting to know so many people in Carlsbad. Irene was a kind and loving mother who inspired her children to "be whatever you want to be" and provided nurturing support to each of them. She enjoyed spending time with her large family and celebrating life. She loved "doting" on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always made birthdays and holidays a wonderful time for her family. Her presence will always be remembered by her family at these special times. Irene is survived by her children Lawrence (Larry) Eldon Clark , Jr and wife, Marcia of Alamogordo, NM; Phyllis Adams and late husband, Joe of Artesia, NM; Susan Crowley and husband Terry of Amarillo, TX; Pam Haley and husband, Mike of Round Rock, TX; Emily Reay and husband, Scott of Peoria, AZ; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers: Mark Klein and wife, Lena, Edward Klein and wife, Tillie, A.A. Klein and wife, Betty and sisters: Mildred Ruyle, Delores Walterscheid, Virginia O'Kelley and husband, Robert, and Betty Bloomer. She was preceded in death by her sisters: Alice Gavin, Eleanor Cole, Freda Hayes, Eva McDonough and Florene Klein. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Irene, please remit to: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.