Gladys Ronning Clark passed away peacefully on June 16, 2014 at the age of 98 surrounded by family. She was born on April 28, 1916, the first of five children born of Ed and Anna Ronning in their homestead cabin in Rock Springs, MT. She began riding horses about the same time she learned to walk, and could still remember the names of all the horses she had known.
After graduating from Custer County High School in 1933 she obtained a provisional teaching certificate and began her 40-year teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse on Crow Rock Sheep Ranch in 1934, where some of her students were nearly as old as and many even bigger than she. A favorite story was about a boy who had a rather spirited horse and asked Gladys if she would like to ride him. She said she would love to, and as she was changing into her riding outfit, she looked out the window and saw the boy and friends slip a bur under the saddle blanket. As she checked her stirrups she unobtrusively removed the bur and had a very enjoyable ride. The disappointed boys never did figure out why the horse behaved so well.
She met Amos Clark through her best friend Bonnie in Miles City in the summer of 1934 when they were both 18, and they were married in Lewistown on October 16, 1937. It was a happy union that lasted 67 years. Soon after marrying they loaded what possessions they had into a ‘37 Oldsmobile and headed for the sunny climate of southern California and the fledgling aircraft industry that attracted Amos. They purchased their first home on Fay Ave in Culver City, which soon became a miniature USO for all the people who were en route during the war, and their son John was born in 1944.
During their California years, Gladys and Amos became charter members of Grace Lutheran Church which still has a stained glass window dedicated to them. Gladys was selected to teach at an exclusive private school in Beverly Hills and remembers trying to put on a Christmas pageant with Art Linkleter and Red Skelton ad-libbing in the audience before the curtain went up for their children’s performance.
While California was good to them, they felt that they were missing that small-town community feel so they moved back to Montana, relocating to Red Lodge. At first, Gladys taught multiple grade levels in a two-room school house in Fox until the school closed, and later in Red Lodge she taught numerous grades and subjects; but her favorite were her 4th grade classes in Mountain View school. Many of her students stayed in touch over the years and she enjoyed watching their successes.
Gladys became very involved in Messiah Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school and serving on the church council, and was a figurehead in the Red Lodge Festival of Nations as a founding member and chair of the Scandinavian group. She continued making Lefse until she moved from her log cabin on Rock Creek.
Gladys lived her life with generosity and compassion and was happy to help people in need. She and Amos took several temporarily-adopted kids and family members into their home and under their wings to love and care for throughout their years in Red Lodge. Gladys also took great pride in operating the Clark Guest House and adjacent coffee shop, where she would delight in conversing with tourists and locals alike during the busy summer months. She was a master story teller who in her 90s began writing a memoir in which she recounted her early years on the family homestead.
While living in Montana, Gladys and Amos would spend their winters in California, where neighbors referred to her as “the walker” because of her daily strolls using tall walking poles to get mail and visit friends. She continued the practice in Red Lodge by walking at least a mile a day well into her 90s.
Gladys’s “15 Minutes of Fame” occurred at the age of 91 when a wayward 600-pound black bear walked into her kitchen through an open patio door. Although quite startled when she realized what all the commotion was, her school teacher demeanor and disciplinary voice and kicked in and she emphatically ordered the bear out of her house. The poor bear had no choice but to leave. The story made the local, regional and international press and she was interviewed by radio talk shows as far away as Australia. The most telling comment came from a former student who remarked, “Dumb bear, we knew in the 4th grade that nobody messes with Mrs. Clark.”
Gladys returned to Miles City to be among her siblings, nieces and nephews in 2013 and celebrated her 98th birthday at Friendship Villa surrounded by family and friends.
She is survived by her son John (Nani) Clark; her grandchildren Jeff, Will, Shinta (Rob) Daniels, and Angie; her great-grandchildren Isis Clark and Kaleb and Lily Daniels; her brother Warren (Elizabeth) Ronning, sister Dorothy Bakken and sister-in-law Kate Ronning; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins on both the Clark and Ronning sides of her family.
There will be a service celebrating her life held in the Sun Room at Friendship Villa in Miles City at 2PM on the 24th of June and at Messiah Lutheran Church in Red Lodge at 2PM on the 27th of June. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name to your favored charity. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
RIP Gladys: Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Mentor, Teacher and dear Friend.
Jim Clark says
Such a bunch of neat uncles and aunts and so many wonderful memories. So blessed to have been part of it and them part of me.
Gerome and Rita Wemmer says
Our prayers go out to the family of Gladys , the loss of a family member is always hard, but the memories will be wonderful.
Debbie Spencer Hill says
Gladys was my 4th grade teacher, one of my favorites. I also knew her through the Messiah Lutheran Church in RL. She is fondly remembered for her kindness and sweet smile.
Andrea Holmen says
Gladys had a GREAT sense of humor, and a wonderful sense of caring! We followed her in working with the Scandinavian Dance Group with the Festival of Nations and knew her well at Messiah Lutheran Church! Her meatballs, made each year for the Festival of Nations, were famous, and we were DELIGHTED when her wedding present at our older daughter’s wedding was 400 meatballs!! She was always a delight to visit with, and I will always remember her as a very lovely and feisty (re: the bear story) lady!!
Wade Clark says
I have so many great memories of Aunt Gladys. It was such a treat being able to visit her and Uncle Amos in Red Lodge. She will be greatly missed.
Kerry Stanhope Wilkinson says
Mrs. Clark, as she was know to me, as she was also my 4th grade teacher was a beautiful grand lady. After reading her obituary I smiled and have tears, and laughed a little at that poor bear because I can hear her voice ringing in my ears, I’m sure he turned and ran like the wind!!!
I took my family home several summers ago and talked about Mr. & Mrs. Clark and wondered what had become of them telling my family stories of Red Lodge and the happenings. She had such an influence on so many young students. Thank you.
RIP Mrs. Clark walk in heaven with the love of your life!!!
Much sympathy to your family.
Respectfully submitted-Kerry Stanhope Wilkinson – former student – Mtn View Elementary 4th grade – 1973/1974 class she taught.
Cassie (Tirrell) Betz says
Such sad news to hear of Mrs. Clark’s passing. What a long, storied life she led! I, too, was a 4th grade student of hers, and I remember my time in her class vividly. Because of her, I STILL remember the poem we memorized in her class–“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and I regularly recite that poem to my own students. You see, I am currently a 4th grade teacher, and she was one of the many wonderful teachers at Westview Elementary that inspired me to go into teaching. Her influence continues on in my students……
My sincerest sympathies to her family for their loss. God’s blessings!
Cassie Tirrell Betz
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Gladys Ronning Clark – It was never the Creator’s purpose for mankind to suffer (Romans 5:12). May God give you peace through his promise to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). I hope that you are consoled by Bible assurances of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Dorothy Davies Morrison says
I, too, remember Gladys fondly from my years in her junior high math classes at Roosevelt School and from the many wonderful visits we had on my returns to Red Lodge. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her! I remember (and if I didn’t, she delighted in reminding me) of looking through the audience at ball games when I was little, finding Amos and Gladys in the stands, and squeezing myself in between them, looking up at Gladys like “what are YOU doing with Amos?” My sympathies go out to you “Son John” and the rest of the family, but I know you have many wonderful memories to sustain you.
Lorry and Jim Schwellenbach says
To all of the Clarks, we send our love and sympathy. Gladys and Amos were such a special couple, and we consider ourselves lucky to have met them. What a beautifully written obituary, it really honors Gladys’ spirit and love for life. It is sweet to think of her with Amos again, knowing her compassion, generosity and kindness will live on in her family members.
Sincerely, Lorry and JIm Schwellenbach
(grandparents of Isis Clark)
Ilsa Joki Dawson says
I remember Gladys fondly from her days at Fox School, working for her at her business in Red Lodge and being a life long friend. She had a positive attitude , and it was a joy to be in her presence. She will be missed. My condolences to John and all of her family.