Vera Johnson Clarke

Vera Johnson Clarke graduated from this life on the 22nd of October 2019, just days before her 98th birthday. She was born in a log cabin on the 18th of November 1921 in Cowley, Wyoming to Clarence Peter Johnson and Ruth Lyman. The family flipped a coin as they left Depression era Wyoming in search of work. As a result of that coin toss they turned the car west to California, settling in Yuba City where Mom's dad worked as a carpenter.

Mom was very serious about school and learning. She completed all twelve years of sc hool without missing a day or being tardy. She said many times she went to school feeling under the weather. But she had set that goal and she was determined to do it.

In June of 1941she married the love of her life, Bob Clarke, a handsome young pilot who swept her off her feet. They were married and sealed in Salt Lake City. Their union produced four daughters and they later took two foster daughters under their wing.

Being the wife of an airline pilot enabled Mom to travel when very few did.She flew to Europe all alone before the advent of credit cards and cell phones. That was

brave. On one occasion, while flying stand-by and missing flight after flight, she finally returned home from Italy with 75 cents in her pocket! She was very adventurous and never hesitated to go out on an all day deep sea fishing trip, or take up dirt bike riding with her grandsons at age 50. For that feat of daring, she earned the moniker Grandma Dynamite.

Mom loved being a homemaker, literally. She and our dad built three of the homes we lived in. Our home was filled with beautiful things, wonderful smells from the kitchen, and an atmosphere of warmth and love. She was a wonderful cook and hostess and loved to entertain. She did beautiful needlework of all kinds and taught toll painting for many years.

Mom was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Relief Society President three times, Young Women President twice, among many other positions. She also spent time in her later years working on genealogy and family history.

Mom is preceded in death by our father in 1994, and her oldest daughter Bobbi Baker (Larry) in 2008. Her posterity includes her daughters Jan Boice (Bill), St. George, Suzi Clarke, Magna, and Lonni Clarke, St. George . Foster daughters Sarah Allen (Lowell), Norman, OK, and Ennis Evjen (Knute), Drammen, Norway. She has 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren,and one great-great grandchild.