Karl J. Clark

Karl J. Clark, founder of Clark Boat Co, loving husband and father, master boat-builder, straight-faced poker player, skilled pilot, eagle-eyed fisherman, and accomplished practical joker was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on October 11, 2013. Karl was born on December 13, 1938 in Maquoketa, Iowa as one of 11 children born to Tom and Marion Clark. He learned early the value of hard-work and integrity in deed and word. In all his years he was without a job for less than 24 hours--working as a commercial fishermen, logger, welder, and mechanic to ensure his family never wanted. He always smiled when he told the story of how he met the love of his life, Janice Steines, as she twirled a hula-hoop in a pair of white shorts in the yard of her uncle in Bellevue. They celebrated their life together for over 53 years before the Lord called him home. From a very young age, Karl loved building anything that would float--his mother often told the story of how he would skip school and head to Horseshoe Pond to build rafts. Karl's love of building led him to join the Army where he served as a paratrooper and a helicopter mechanic for the 82nd Airborne Division (Fort Bragg, NC), and then as a foreman at Clinton Engine. He soon began building numerous businesses including fishing, logging, welding and finally boat-building. Karl started Clark Boats in an old stone building south of Bellevue over 30 years ago, eventually growing into its current location west of town. His patented hull design was widely sought after for its durability and stability, making it ideal for research and rescue in rough waters. Karl built loyal relationships with many fishermen, DNR officials, fire/rescue departments, and universities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Today, Clark Boats can be found in over 40 states. The key to this growth was the ability to engineer a solution to any problem or situation--rescue boats in the Pacific, research boats for the Hoover Dam, government patrol boats, 60-passenger pontoon sightseeing vessels, and 97-foot paddlewheel boats--nothing was too complicated for him to engineer. If Karl's first love was his family, his second love was fishing. Any spare time would find Karl fishing somewhere on the Mississippi; out-of-towners were often sent to Karl to get tips on where to find the best fishing holes. Karl never forgot the people in his life. He served as a member of the Bellevue Fire Dept, Bellevue ambulance service, City Council, and Masonic Lodge. He was known for his compassion and support; helping friends and family build businesses and sharing his time and resources with those in need. He loved animals of all kinds, and was known to coax wild squirrels from the treetops to sit on his shoulder and take peanuts from his hand. He was preceded in death by his parents (Tom and Marion), mother-in-law Irene Steines, father-in-law Orville Steines, sister Sheila Clark, two brothers Arthur and Sheridan Clark, and brothers-in-law Clifton Petersen and Robert Guenther. Left to honor his memory include his beloved wife, Janice Clark, and two children Kristy (Curt) Carrier and Karla (Mace) Golden; Grandchildren Tristan (Amy) Sprout, Tessa Sprout, Alyxandra Golden, Olivia Golden and Dakota Golden; great granddaughter Jade Sprout.; brothers and sisters Ruth Petersen, Patricia (Tom) Straub, Michael (Carol) Clark, Kathleen (Jackie) Clark, Margaret (Bob) Petersen, Edward (Sue) Clark, and Karin (Ken) Till; sisters-in-law Jeanie (Keith) Griebel, Diana Guenther; brother-in-law Orville Steines Jr; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many good friends who brought him much joy. Deeply missed by those of us who were blessed to know and love him, for a life well-lived, and a man well-loved. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8)