Cleo Clark was born August 30, 1932 in Alcester, South Dakota to Joseph and Bernice (Johnson) Hongslo. She died February 16, 2025 at the Alcester Care and Rehab Center at the age of 92 years.

Cleo was born, raised and lived on the same property in Alcester her entire life. Her family had Evergreen Dairy; Cleo would help her dad deliver milk but wasn't a fan of doing the chicken chores.  She had many fond memories of the many guests at their table from farm help to travelers off the train looking for a meal.   Her Father and Grandfather never turned them away.   She also remembered helping her dad give milk to the widowed and those in need when they were on the milk delivery route.   These experiences developed her giving heart at an early age.   She attended school in Alcester and graduated from Alcester High School.

She was hired at the State Bank of Alcester and worked there for 42 years. She started as teller and held several positions throughout her career until her retirement.  Cleo married the love of her life, Jay Clark, October 3, 1959 at Alcester Baptist Church and were married for 65 years.  There were three children born to this union.

Cleo was a Godly woman and was a gracious host. She and Jay had Sunday dinner guests nearly every week and the coffee was always on in her kitchen. Cleo enjoyed cooking and baking; she always had cookies ready in her freezer for family and friends when they stopped by for a visit. She was an avid supporter of her children and grandkids' activities.  Community Service was a priority for Cleo.   She spent many years with her husband Jay, clerking local auction sales and prepared many taxes for locals of the surrounding area.   Cleo spent many retirement years volunteering at the Alcester Care and Rehab center, Food Pantry and local community events.  Above all, Cleo was dedicated to God and Church, teaching Kids club, serving with ladies' service projects and held different church offices over the years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jay, on October 2, 2024; her parents; her sister, Audrey (Pat) Ball; and one granddaughter, Amanda Jensen.

Survivors include her three children, Monica (Jimmy) Jensen of Beresford, Clay (Roxanne) Clark of Alcester, and Gavin (Yvonne) Clark of Beresford; five grandchildren, Josh (Melissa) Clark, Yolanda (Josh) Dirnberger, Drew (Emma) Jensen, Lennea (Garret) Olson and Sadie (Chet) Bottorff; seven great-grandchildren (with two on the way), Quinn and Wyatt Clark and Isabelle, Isaac, Melody, and Noelle Dirnberger, and Huxten Bottorff; brother-in-law Jerry Clark; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 2PM Friday, February 21, 2025 at Alcester Baptist Church, 409 Iowa Street, Alcester, SD  57001, with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 5-7PM at Alcester Baptist Church with a prayer service at 7PM.