Wayne Ralph Clark

Wayne Ralph Clark passed away January 8, 2014 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman at the age of 76. Wayne, known to friends and family as “Grumpy” was born in Benkelman on September 13, 1937 to Ralph Clark and Clara Lucille [Brown] Clark.
Wayne attended country school for a couple of years and Benkelman Elementary School until 1951 when the family moved north of Bird City Kansas. Wayne graduated from Bird City High School in 1957. While in high school he participated in many extra-curricular activities and all sports. He was very proud of the fact that he was on the 1953 football team that was one of the greatest ever seen in Bird City. The team had an undefeated, unscored-upon season. In one game, Wayne ran 60 yards for a touchdown. However, the article in the paper had him running “60 years” for the touchdown. He has finally finished the run and made his final touchdown. He also held some school records in track.
Wayne enlisted in the army in 1960. During his service he was attached to the 1st Missile Battalion [Nike-Hercules] 43rd Artillery at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington state. Wayne served in Thule Greenland. He loved sharing his pictures of Greenland with his kids and grandkids. Wayne was discharged in 1963. After returning home, Wayne married the love of his life, Marilyn Hiatt on September 1, 1963. They had a very happy life together and were thankful to spend their 50th wedding anniversary with their friends and family on September 1, 2013.
Wayne and Marilyn made their lifetime home in Benkelman where Wayne was an over-the-road truck driver for a few years. When oldest son, Mike, was born Wayne quit trucking and went to work for Arden Ham at the DX station. Wayne later operated the DX station from 1971 to 1998. After they closed the station, Wayne had many odd jobs to keep him busy including carrying the mail in Parks Nebraska, maintained the Dundy County Courthouse, and mowing lawns. His last job was maintaining the funeral home in Benkelman.
Wayne and Marilyn were blessed with three children – Mike, Sherri and Doug. Wayne followed the kids in their school activities and were very proud of the adults they became.
Wayne also kept busy with community projects. He served on the fire department for many years. He was also a member of the Benkelman City Council and served as mayor for a short time. Wayne was a member of the Oddfellow and Rebekah lodges in Benkelman. He was a lifetime member of the Stratton VFW. Wayne was a charter member of the Benkelman Lions Club.
Wayne’s hobbies including reading, watching tv, walking his dog Cassie and taking rides in the country and watching nature. Wayne spent lots of evenings sitting on his porch watching the birds, listening to the coyotes, and watching the deer feed on the alfalfa field. Wayne also enjoyed supporting his grandsons in their school activities.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold Stevens, father-in-law Richard Hiatt, brother-in-law Jim Wilkens, sister-in-law Berneta Smith and niece Barbara Smith.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Benkelman; son Mike Clark and wife Jann of Benkelman; daughter Sherri Pospisil and husband Alan of Geneva Nebraska; Doug Clark and wife Judy of North Platte Nebraska. He also leaves behind grandsons Coy T. Clark of Chadron, Nebraska; Colton, Easton, and Dalton Clark of North Platte, Nebraska; Michael Brunswig and wife Shaila of Benkelman; and Mark Brunswig and special friend Shawntel Pena of Benkelman. Also surviving are sister Betty Wilkens of Atwood Kansas; brothers Bob Clark and wife Judy; Gary Clark all of Benkelman; and Glenn Clark and wife Carol of Broken Bow, Nebraska. Brothers-in-law Charlie Hiatt and Toby Hiatt of Benkelman and Bob Smith of St. Francis Kansas. Also surviving Wayne is his mother-in-law Velma Hiatt of Benkelman. Wayne also leaves many nieces and nephews, other family and friends.
Services were held by Pastor Sheila Taylor on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Community Building in Benkelman. Musical selections sang by Richard Bartholomew included I’ll Fly Away and Mansion Over the Hilltop. Inurnment was at the Benkelman Cemetary with a military committal.