Audrey Ann Clark OBITUARY

Audrey Ann Clark OBITUARY

Audrey Ann Larson was born in Palisade, Nebraska, on October 3, 1930. The beloved daughter of Lonnie and Bessie and younger sister to Victor.

After graduating from Palisade High in 1948, Audrey moved to McCook, Nebraska, where she worked at Brooks Studio. In the early 1950s, she moved to Oakland, California. There, a friend, Jerry Erich, introduced her to Ray Clark, a United States Navy sailor stationed at Treasure Island, on a blind date. Four months later in June 1952, they were married in Washington, D.C. where Ray had been reassigned to the Pentagon. Audrey loved Navy life and took great pride in supporting Ray throughout his 21-year Navy career. Audrey and Ray were married for 68 years.

With their growing family, they traveled the world, establishing homes at Navy duty stations in six states and two countries overseas. When Ray retired from the Navy in 1969, he, Audrey and their five children settled down in San Jose, California. In 1979, Audrey began working for Erich Printing. Starting in the bindery, she eventually became the Circulation Manager for Good Packaging Magazine, an international trade publication.

Audrey loved being outdoors, especially working in her yard. She was a San Francisco Giants fan since their early days in New York. She credited her health and longevity to her upbringing in Nebraska and proudly called herself “Nebraska Strong.” She was tireless, thoughtful, principled, highly organized, determined, and had a remarkable memory.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her oldest daughter, Kathryn Ryan; her infant granddaughter, Shaina Clark; her parents, Lonnie and Bessie; and her brother, Vic. She is survived by her children, Kevin, Karen, Kelley, and Kris Clark; and her nine grandchildren: Brandon Clark and Nicholas Clark (children of Kevin); Jeannie Oliver (Ben) (daughter of Karen); Molly Bolton (Chris), Natalie Schmidt, and Charlotte Schmidt (children of Kelley); and Ashley Duval (Jon), Melissa Clark, and Will Clark (children of Kris). She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Nathanial, Janice, Philip, William, George, Edith, Augustine, and Margaret Oliver; Evangeline, Henry, Josephine, and Emerie Bolton; and Baby Boy Duval, due in January 2026; and her three nephews, Larry (Kathy), Jerry, and Vic (Sharon) Larson, and their families.

Audrey was a beloved mother, grandmother, and loyal friend. Private services were held. Donations may be made to your local nonprofit animal shelter.