Colleen Genevieve Clark

Colleen was born Feb. 12th, 1923 in Lake Stevens, WA to Alice and Gerald Benthien. At the age of 99 she passed away peacefully on August 30th, 2022 in University Place, WA.

Her family moved to Ketchikan, Alaska in 1929 and for the rest of her life the Alaskan Spirit of hard work and honesty were a part of her. In 1937 they moved back to Everett, WA and in 1954 Colleen purchased and moved into her home in University Place, WA where she lived for 67 years. Always the grounding and guiding factor in her blended family she raised five children. She was an active member of Mt. Cross Lutheran Church for 68 years and the University Place Garden Club.  Her big passion was gardening and was admired for her beautiful roses and rhododendrons. Never had to ask her twice if she was interested in traveling. She travelled extensively to Japan, several Scandinavian countries, Germany, Australia, Italy, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

Preceded in death by her first husband 1st Lieutenant Lawrence Burke (longtime supporter of Gold Star Wives and of veteran causes), ex-husband Frank Silver, late husband James Clark Sr., and 3 grandsons Victor Burke, Jonathan Adam and Kelly Burke. Colleen is survived by sons Robert Burke and Steven Silver, daughter Laurianne Adam and stepchildren James Clark Jr. and Karen Schanberger, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, also sister Violet Marchi, and half-sister Barbara Lindberg.

A Memorial Service for Colleen will be held Saturday October 1ST, 1PM at Mt. Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in University Place, WA, 8902 40th St. West, University Place, WA. The Memorial will also be shown and archived on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Gold Star Wives at GoldStarWives.org.

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