Virginia Mae “Ginny” Clark , 96, died in Aberdeen on Aug. 11, 2022. She was the eldest of 10 children born to immigrants Edith and Carl Lebsack in Loveland, Colorado. From an early age, Virginia toiled alongside her extended Volga German/American family in the sugar beet fields of Larimer County Colorado.
Determined to finish public school, Virginia moved “into town” with her Aunt Nathalia and Uncle Carl Anderson during high school. She completed her education while continuing to help with sugar beet planting and harvesting. Following graduation, she worked as an operator for the Bell Telephone Company.
During WWII, Virginia became acquainted with her future husband, Air Force Serviceman Albert Clark, via letters she helped compose to him for his mother. They were married in 1947 and later welcomed their children, Vicki and Alan.
As a dedicated military wife, Virginia and children moved with Albert to several bases in the U.S. and during the Cold War, they were stationed at Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland on the Canadian/American Surveillance “Dewline.”
Perpetually devoted to the Lutheran faith throughout her life, Virginia sang in choirs, taught Sunday and Bible schools and participated in numerous mission projects.
Virginia applied her sewing skills to create costumes for her children’s dance recitals, her crocheting expertise to fashion afghans, her language skills to master crosswords and Scrabble, her dancing ability to dance the “Dutch Hop” and her cooking skills to make traditional kraut runza and kuchens.
During retirement in Las Vegas, Nevada, she and Albert volunteered for over 20 years at their church’s “Martin’s Mart” second hand store, donating all proceeds to charities. As store president, Virginia was honored by the Las Vegas Business Women’s Association by being designated as “An Angel in our Midst.” She and Albert also enjoyed the activities of many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lived in Las Vegas.
In her final 11 years, Virginia resided and traveled around the United States with her daughter Dr. Vicki and her son-in-law, Mr. Kenneth Mitchell of Cosmopolis. Later, she resided at Westhaven Villa in Aberdeen, Washington.
Albert preceded her in death after 63 years of marriage. Virginia will be mourned by her children, a son-in-law, five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, her five siblings, a God daughter, and many nieces and nephews.
Final services will take place in Loveland, Colorado with interment of her ashes, along with Albert’s, at Resthaven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Snug Harbor Daycare or to the Stained Glass Project at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, both in Aberdeen.
