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Clark, Maria “Rita”

Maria (Van Pelt) Clark, age 92, was reunited with her Savior on Monday, September 28, 2015 at home in New London, WI, in the presence of her loving family.

She was born on September 19, 1923 in Tilburg, The Netherlands, beloved daughter of the late Gerardus and Antonia (Van Woerkom) Van Pelt.

Rita is survived by her daughters, Bea Merrill and Robin Ludwikowski, (Dan) and her grandson, Alex. Rita’s family was always her priority and she lavished boundless love and care on all the members, for which all are immeasurably grateful. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Robert W. Clark.

Rita received her teacher certification upon graduating from Sint Janslyceum in s’Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. After arriving in the United States in 1955, she taught at Holy Name of Jesus School in Kimberly, where Father Cornelius Van Den Borne, a family friend from the Netherlands, was pastor. Later, she was employed as office manager at the Appleton J.C. Penney store for many years and eventually retired from the Clerk of Court’s office for Outagamie County. Not one to sit still, Rita continued working at a variety of part-time jobs well into her 70s, “just to have something to do.” She also enjoyed socializing with her New London McDonald’s “Breakfast Club” for many years. An avid knitting and crocheting enthusiast, Rita created an endless supply of sweaters, vests, skirts, coats, blankets and afghans to keep both the human and animal members of her family warm and fashionably attired. While she did use patterns, she also created her own designs. Her optimism, generosity and good cheer will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Maria, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London, with Fr. Arul Joseph I officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery in New London. Friends and family may visit directly at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. The Cline and Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com

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