Josephine Callis Larsen Clark

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend died peacefully in St. George, Utah on August 16, 2024. Her exemplary example of strength, kindness, leadership, integrity, and wisdom will be a cherished memory to those she has left behind. Jo was born the oldest of three children to Spencer and Kathleen Larsen in Grand Forks, North Dakota on April 9, 1928. Most of her childhood was spent in Detroit, Michigan. She learned to read at the age of three and was placed in the third grade when it was time for her to begin elementary school. She continued to be a voracious reader for the rest of her life. In junior high and high school, she developed a deep respect for and interest in other cultures, leading to a desire to travel to other countries.

Jo graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in journalism, writing being one of her many talents as well as music and the fine arts. She met and later married Lyman B. Clark in the Salt Lake Temple in 1949, and they established a loving home for their five children in the states of Utah, Idaho, Oregon, California, and Florida. Twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren were later added to their family, and regular family reunions were always an important event. At one particular reunion, her natural curiosity led her to zip line at the age of 83. She had a special fondness for young children and went back to college to earn a teaching degree in elementary education. One of Jo’s highlights of her teaching career was homeschooling children stricken with serious diseases or injuries. Jo’s and Lyman’s love for travel took them to countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout the United States. In 1982 they opened their own successful business, Clark’s Stationers, in Rancho Bernardo, California, which they successfully operated for 19 years. For the last 46 years, she resided in Poway, California where she made many life-long friendships.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jo contributed selfless service in numerous leadership callings, as a temple ordinance worker, and as a missionary managing the Bishop’s Storehouse. She created a welcoming home environment for all family members, friends, and visitors. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Elizabeth Moss. Her survivors include her children: Sherrill Wight (Jeffrey), Carolyn Leslie (Daniel), Steven Clark (Sandra), John Clark (Lisa), and Lisa Clark; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her brother, Spencer Larsen. 

A memorial service paying tribute to her good life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple St, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment will be at Salt Lake City Cemetery following the memorial service.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and sign Jo’s digital memorial page at SpilsburyMortuary.com/obituaries