Mary M. Clark

Mary Magdalene (Dumback) Clark, age 90, passed away Friday evening, March 28, 2014 at McKinley Manor in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Mary was born September 8, 1923 to Edward and Mary (Belinski) Dumback in Stalwart, MI. Mary had seven siblings; a sister and six brothers. They all attended school in Stalwart. When Mary was twelve years old, her mother passed away, and in 1941 she left home to stay with a cousin and worked as a Presser for a laundry service. In 1943 she met and married Norman Clark, who was stationed at Fort Brady. Norman and Mary's first date was going to church at the First Church of Christ. They were married for almost 53 years when Norman passed away unexpectedly in 1996. In her final years, Mary made her home at McKinley Manor where she resided with former neighbors and made many new friends. She also had many wonderful caregivers there. Mary and Norman had six daughters, whom they raised on a farm in Rosedale, MI. Mary worked as a farmer's wife in the fields, as well as helping with the barn chores. She also sewed most of her daughter's clothes, and canned vegetables, fruits and meat that the family enjoyed during the winter months. She was a great cook, and made her own butter and cottage cheese. Mary and Norman were members of the Central United Methodist Church of Sault Ste. Marie and she belonged to a Guild there. She regularly attended church services at McKinley Manor and lived her life simply and gratefully, putting her trust in the Lord. She is survived by her daughters: Judith (Gary) Carlson of Birch Run, MI, Diane (Les) Laitinen of Neebish Island, MI, Nancy (Levi) Kimball of Jackson, MI, Helen (Steve) Morrison of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Donna (Dan) Baxter of Dafter, MI, and Gail (Tony) Pickell of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; grandchildren: Kim (Andy) Fahrenbruch, Todd (Jennifer) Carlson, Chad (Ruth) Carlson, Nicole (Guy) Blanchard, Noelle (Christian) Palasty, Natalie (Bob) Patterson, Becky (Mike) Surbrook, Matthew Hoornstra, Martin (Wendy) Hoornstra, Mark (Jennifer) Morrison, Jodie Clark, Jill (Kevin) Weber, Ashley Hoath, and Areka (Travis) Maki. Mary is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren (with another on the way in April), as well as 4 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Adeline Dumback, Wilma Antonnisen, and close "sister"-in-law Carolyn Dumback. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband and her parents; a sister: Mary Warner; six brothers: Alex Dumback, Edward Dumback, Victor Dumback, Peter Dumback, Albert Dumback, and Vernon Dumback. A visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Lockhart officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until the time of the service. Entombment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Hospice of the EUP. Condolences may be left online at www.csmulder.com.

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Mary M. Clark

September 8, 1923 - March 28, 2014