Harold James Clarken

October 25, 1935 - March 14, 2015

Harold James Clarken, son of Henry and Mary Clarken, was born on October 25, 1935 and grew up on a farm near Corwith, Iowa. Harold graduated from Corwith High School and went to junior college on a baseball scholarship as a pitcher. After playing semi-pro baseball for a short time, Harold became a fireman in both Webster City and Waukee for a combined 20 years. Following that, he worked at Bridgestone/Firestone in Des Moines for 28 years and was a member of the URW/USW Union. On May 20, 1956, he married Betty Long of Webster City, Iowa. They lived in Webster City, Humboldt, West Des Moines, and Waukee, Iowa. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee for 49 years. He was preceded in death by his wife and one son, Danny Clarken, a sister, Alice Schroeder, an infant brother, and both of his parents. Survivors include one son, Kevin (Julie) Clarken, and three daughters, Debra Hueholt-Hartman, Michelle (Todd) Van Maanen, and Annette (Grant) Duncan. He cherished his eight grandchildren- Jared (Meghan Walter) Hueholt, Erin (Joseph) Hill, Kelsey Ihde, Taylor Sullivan, Jesse Van Maanen, Molly Ihde, Daniel Clarken, and Justin Clarken as well as five great grandchildren, Wylie, Dawson, Amesley, Natalie and Carter. Harold’s gift of storytelling kept all of his family greatly entertained. He was very proud of being an Irishman and loved history, reading, the outdoors, as well as traveling. Harold died on March 14, 2015 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa after a very short battle with leukemia. He was visited by many friends and then surrounded by his family as he peacefully passed away. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2015 at St. Boniface Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Boniface Church in Waukee, Iowa in loving memory of Harold Clarken. All flower deliveries may be made to: St Boniface Church 1200 Warrior Lane Waukee, Iowa