Mary Lou 'Lu Lu' Clark, 64

Mary Lou “Lu Lu” Clark was born on Aug. 16, 1951, in Klamath Falls, Ore., to Esther Alice Seus and Edward Alphonse Seus. Mary Lou grew up on the family farm in Tulelake, Calif., with her sister, Donna, and two brothers, Monte and Gene. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1968 and from Marylhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1972. In 1969-1970, she attended the University of Portland’s Salzburg, Austria, study-abroad program, with many of those friends remaining close to her throughout her life.

Mary Lou met the love of her life, Royce “Denny” Dion Clark in high school and they were married in 1971 at Marylhurst University. They were married almost 45 years and shared many adventures together. Mary Lou and Royce had two sons: Casey Timothy Clark in 1974 and Kelly Joseph Clark in 1976. They lived in Klamath Falls, Ore.

Mary Lou started her teaching career at Alturas Elementary in Alturas, Calif. Then from 1977 to 2005, Mary Lou taught first and second grade at Riverside Elementary, Lucille O’Neill Elementary and Mills Elementary all in Klamath Falls. “Mrs. Clark” was a champion for her students as she fought to ensure she could continue to give them hugs at school, knowing it was the only hug some of them received.

Upon her retirement, Royce and Mary Lou moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be closer to their son, Casey, their daughter-in-law, Vicky and grandson Michael. Mary Lou was delighted to help them welcome their daughter Shauna to their family in 2010. Mary Lou was thrilled when son Kelly married Carrie Lynn Brown in 2011.

Mary Lou will always be remembered as being flamboyant, colorful, a strong Christian, someone who loved to laugh and cherished her family. Filling her freezer with pies and meals was a favorite past time as well as hosting extensive family dinners which will be remembered by many. Mary Lou was involved in Alcoholics Anonymous and became a mentor to others. The Serenity Prayer was never far from her lips.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her mother, Esther Alice Seus; her father, Edward Alphonse Seus and her son, Casey Michael Clark. She is survived by her husband, Royce Dion Clark of Rathdrum, Idaho; her son, Kelly Joseph Clark and wife Carrie of West Jordan, Utah; Vicki Clark of Coeur d’Alene; her sister, Donna Osborne of Portland, Ore.; her brother, Monte Seus and his wife Kate of Shady Cove, Ore.; her brother, Gene Seus and his wife Hanna of Manteca, Calif.; eight nieces and nephews; and her beloved grandchildren, Michael Clark and Shauna Clark of Coeur d’Alene.

Mary Lou passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 31, 2016. Her memorial service was held April 4, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s research or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.