Dennis Edward Clark

Dennis Edward Clark of Burr Oak, Kansas passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 26, 2015. Dennis was born on October 29, 1952 in Beloit, Kansas to Edward L. and Lucile M. (Keller) Clark. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward L. Clark.

Dennis grew up on a farm south of Esbon and attended Dentonia and Esbon schools, graduating with the Class of 1970. Dennis exceled at athletics and he especially loved playing football and basketball. He earned a football scholarship and played in the state basketball tournament in 1970. Dennis was proud (and frequently retold the story to his children) that he first won the heart of his future wife, Cynthia, during the Burr Oak vs. Esbon rivalry game when he broke free for a touchdown. Legend has it he crossed the goal line backpedaling into the end zone while waving at Cynthia, who was a cheerleader for Burr Oak High School.

Following high school, Dennis moved to Superior, Nebraska where he worked, became involved with Golden Glove Boxing, and played in several town-team basketball leagues where he developed many lifelong friendships. After a few years apart, as fate would have it, Dennis and Cynthia shared a dance at the VFW in Superior, where Dennis told Cynthia he had dreamt they were getting married. On the spot, he proposed, and three months later they were married on January 5, 1974.

Shortly after getting married, Dennis and Cynthia began their custom harvesting career which lasted 18 years, traveling annually during the summer months from Texas to the Canadian line. Over the years, Dennis had a crew who he considered more than just employees; they were part of the family. At a very young age, Dennis developed an incredible work ethic helping his father and grandfather on the farm. He respected people who worked hard and was proud that this trait was passed down to his children.

Dennis and Cynthia had two children, Laci Lee (Clark) Boyle and Derek Edward Clark. During the winter months, Dennis and Cynthia followed Laci and Derek all over the state to their various sporting events. Dennis once remarked that between Laci’s basketball and Derek’s wrestling he had likely visited every gym in the state of Kansas and this continued through their college years.

Dennis retired from the custom harvesting business in 1993 and started a career as a farmer in Burr Oak. Dennis was an innovative, self-educated farmer who took great pride in caring for the ground he farmed and the equipment he operated. He was one of the first farmers in the area to practice no-till farming and worked tirelessly to perfect his craft, always coming up with new ideas.

Dennis loved the outdoors. He was most at peace behind the wheel of his pickup driving slowly from field to field, surveying his crops and the wildlife around the countryside. He was an avid and very skilled hunter and fisherman. Every year, he looked forward to deer season when he would spend time with close friends and family and mentor his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. He cherished the opportunities he had to teach his grandsons how to hunt and fish.
During their 41 years of marriage, Dennis and Cynthia were constantly on the go. They went on many family vacations, enjoyed annual trips to Las Vegas, and in recent years created great memories on several cruises and countless weekends in Omaha, Nebraska. Dennis and Cynthia took great pride in their children’s and grandson’s activities and traveled thousands of miles over the years to attend every event that they could, right up until the final week of his life when he beamed with pride at Grandparent’s Day at Superior Elementary School.

Dennis was a private man cut from a traditional cloth who liked to keep his cards close to his chest. He loved and revered his family and was fiercely loyal to a small group of friends who he loved to spend time with. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened and never forgot what he had to say. Dennis lived his life on his own terms and on his own schedule (his family frequently joked that he operated on “Dennis time”). Although Dennis faced many challenges in his life, he often told his family that he loved being Dennis Clark and he would not trade his life for any other. He lived his life to the fullest and cherished every day.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 41 years, Cynthia, Burr Oak, KS; his children Laci and Ryan Boyle of Wichita, KS; Derek and Ashley Clark of Superior NE; his grandchildren, Dylan Clare Boyle, Dayne Edward Clark and Levi Charles Clark; his mother, Lucile Clark of Esbon, KS; his siblings, Debra Clark of Kansas City, MO; Shelley Findley of Hutchinson, KS; Randy and Sharla Clark of Abilene, KS; Doug Clark of Kansas City, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service for Dennis E. Clark, was held Firday, May 8, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Burr Oak, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp and Lance McDowell officiating. Music was performed by Kassidy Knowles, soloist. Casket bearers were: Kale Newell, Rick McEntee, Jr., John Montgomery, Marcus Findley, Maurice Findley, and Tyler Clark. Honorary casket bearers were: Shawn Newell, Lance Newell, Brad Ost, Dwane Smith, Jack Fallin, Dennis Duffy, and Joseph Paul Utecht. Interment followed in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas. The family received friends following graveside service at the Superior Country Club, Superior, Nebraska. Visitation was Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., with the family having the flower service in the evening. Memorials in honor of Dennis E. Clark may be made to Childhood Cancer Research, in care of the family. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.