Edward P. Clark

Edward Paul Clark, 99, Fargo, ND, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019 at Riverview Place in Fargo where he had been a resident for five years.

Edward was born on January 4, 1920 to Paul and Louise (Aud) Clark in Chicago, IL. Louise died within two years of Edward’sbirth and so he was raised by a maternal aunt and her family in Nashville, TN.

His middle and high school years were spent at St. Mary’s Mission House, a seminary of the Divine Word Missionaries in Techy, IL. Through mutual discernment, Edward did not continue to the priesthood but these formative years were evidenced throughout his life in his spiritual growth and devotion within his Catholic faith.

In 1942, in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Edward volunteered with the US Army Air Corps and was stationed in the South Pacific until his discharge in 1945 having earned the rank of technical sergeant.

Edward, benefitting from the GI Bill, was a proud alumnus of the University of Notre Dame from which he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Commerce. He then returned to Nashville and received his Master of Arts degree in Spanish from Vanderbilt University. Edward was introduced to the love of his life, Elizabeth Wheelock, who was the nursing instructor of his Nashville cousin, Jean Marie. Their two year courtship led to their marriage on April 22, 1950 in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville, TN.

Although he had a business degree, Edward’s talent and joy was in the classroom, teaching. In 1954, he began teaching professionally, first at a private military academy in New Orleans, and then as Spanish instructor at LSU-NO. In 1962,Edward qualified for a National Defense Education grant to study Portuguese at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Upon completion of his studies, he accepted a position as assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Moorhead State College, Moorhead, MN. Edward served at Moorhead State until his retirement in 1984, earning promotion and tenure and was elected chair of the Department of Foreign Language. Since 1967, Edward and his wife Elizabeth were active members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead where he served as a Minister of Holy Communion and supported parish efforts towards inclusion and social justice ministry.

Edward had a love of photography, documenting family vacations and focusing on wildlife and nature.  In retirement he expanded his artistic talents to include still-life water colors. During their retirement years, Edward and Elizabeth enjoyed many years of travel, exploring the United States and Europe always in the quest for educational opportunities.

Edward was preceded in death by his father, mother, and wife of 69 years. He is survived by five children, David Clark, Fargo, ND, Ann Clark-Whitlock (Robin Whitlock), St. Petersburg, FL, Martha Meyer (Rick), Fargo, ND, Mary Susan Siegel, Denver, CO, Charles Clark (Theresa Kaminski), Mount Horeb, WI; nine grandchildren, Jenica, Ryan, Patricia, Janet, James, Brian, Sam, Katherine, Maria Elena; three great-grandchildren, Alexis, Allison, and Oscar and two great-great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 5:00- 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead. MN

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM with a visitation beginning at 10:00 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Moorhead, MN

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverview Place, 5300 12th St S, Fargo, ND 58104