Donna Ruth Clark (Meldrum)

Donna Ruth Meldrum Clark, 71, passed away October 19, 2015 at Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Ore. She was born June 20, 1944 to Ralph and Donna Meldrum (ne Johansen) in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. She was the second of three daughters and her father was a farmer growing wheat, barley, sugar beets, peas, beans, and corn in addition to running a small herd of cattle.

Donna was a tomboy at heart, preferring to drive a tractor or work in the fields with her father rather than stay in the house and be burdened with domestic chores. Donna's mother was an elementary school teacher and efficient homemaker, noted for her endless, compassionate service.

Following her graduation from the twelfth grade, Donna attended St. Michael's School for Nursing in Lethbridge, Alberta earning her Registered Nurse certification. She then moved to Provo, Utah where many of her cousins lived, and went to work in a local hospital. Accepting a blind date, Donna met Fred Clark. They dated for a year, and Fred joined the U.S. Army while Donna returned home to Canada. Distance does make the heart grow fonder, and so, while on a week's leave from the Army, and $50.00 borrowed from Donna, Fred journeyed to Canada where they were married in a civil ceremony in Raymond, Alberta.

While Fred was playing soldier in the Army, Donna worked in local hospitals, spending six months in Alexandria, Va.; twelve months in Fort Knox, Ky.; and twelve months in Woodland Hills, Calif. Upon Fred's return from Korea and a discharge, they moved to Corvallis, Ore. where Donna continued to work as an R.N. on swing shift.

In 1973, the Clarks moved to Ashland where Donna worked part-time at the Ashland Community Hospital and Fred taught Vocational Agriculture at Phoenix High School. That same year, Donna received her U.S. citizenship.

A prairie girl at heart, Donna never lost her love for Canadian wheat fields with the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. She was an excellent homemaker, good cook, skilled quilter, and seamstress as well as being a devoted mother of seven children. Like her mother, Donna was a celebrity to many for her compassionate service, genuine friendship, and generous good works. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities including Relief Society President, Home-making Counselor, Visiting Teacher Coordinator, Gospel Doctrine Instructor, six years as a Temple Ordinance Worker, and 18 months as an Employment Specialist in White City, Ore. She also spent 42 faithful years of service as a Visiting Teacher.

Donna is survived by her beloved husband, Fred Clark; her children, Brandon Clark (Wendy Shumway) of Ashland, Ore., Gary Clark of Central Point, Ore, Cindy Sorensen of Shoreline, Wash., Barry Clark of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Collins Clark of Camas, Wash.; her sisters, Nellie Ann Nilsson of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and Carol Morley of Provo, Utah; her 25 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Memory Gardens Mortuary, 1395 Arnold Lane, Medford, Ore. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 111 N. Clay Street, Ashland, with a brief viewing beforehand. Interment will immediately follow the memorial service at Memory Gardens.