JOPLIN, Mo. —
Vera Clarkson, age 90 ½, entered into rest on Sunday morning, Feb. 17, 2013, at the home of her daughter. Most of her loved ones were able to spend time with her in her final days, expressing their goodbyes and showering her with love.
Vera was born on Aug. 13, 1922, to Charles Martin and Nina Belle (McKaig) Yock in Attica, Kan., where she spent her entire childhood. Though she was the daughter of merchants, she spent much time at her uncles' farms, cooking for the field crews and enjoying the farm life of central Kansas. During the war years, she lived in Wichita and proudly worked for Cessna. Soon after the war, she married Lester Clarkson and they made their home in Galena, Kan.
Vera was a devoted mother, spending her summers at the ballparks, working hard for the PTA, scouting and as a room mother for her children. Her home was always open to the neighborhood children, who considered it their second home. She loved to play pinochle with her sons and entertain her grandchildren with games and gummy bears. Saturday lunch and shopping with her daughters and an occasional granddaughter was a must, continuing up to just weeks ago.
Vera was an accomplished seamstress, providing clothing for her children that always made them proud. During these years she also worked fulltime - Sears and Roebuck, Lerners and Coglizers in Joplin. Vera was never one to be idle - besides sewing, she loved to crochet, read and work crossword puzzles. She was on the internet daily, catching up with her emails, surfing the web, playing games and checking out Facebook. She never asked for help - if it could be done, she could do it. That is the legacy she has left her family, along with tremendous unconditional love and pride.
Vera will be sadly missed by her children and grandchildren, who all cherished and adored her: Cindy Olds, of Joplin, Bud (Joy) Clarkson, of Arcadia, Mo., Susan (Al) Horner, Galena, David (Jayma) Clarkson, Galena, and Bob (Ann) Yock, Owasso, Okla.; her grandchildren, Brian Clarkson, Candy Frazier, Matt Olds, Barry Clarkson, Kristi Clarkson, Jenny Temple, Brad Clarkson, Jon Olds, Andrew Horner, Stephanie Wheelock and Katie Horner; and her great-grandchildren, Christian Clarkson, Laekyn Clarkson, Addi Clarkson, Sophia Clarkson, Cole Frazier, Cade Frazier, Hannah Frazier, Presley Temple, Landry Temple, Ryatt Wheelock and Kross Wheelock. Vera will also be missed by her daughter-in-law, Judy Clarkson and her best friend and sister-in-law, Dorothy Shallenburger. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Wayne Yock; and a great-granddaughter, Emmori Clarkson.
A celebration of Vera's life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Parker Mortuary with visitation to follow.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
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