Venece E. Clark

Venece E. Clark, 100 years old, our adored mother, grandmother, and friend passed away January 26, 2024, at her home in Springdale. Venece was born on July 7, 1923, in Panguitch, Utah to Lawrence Dewey Excell and Hattie Ethel Bolton. Her family moved to Springdale, Utah at the end of her first-grade year. She attended Springdale Elementary, and later graduated from Hurricane High School in 1941. 

Venece worked at the cafeteria in Zion National Park before moving to Burbank, California, where she attended a six-week training for various factory jobs supporting WWII efforts. She was then hired by Lockheed where she worked in the electrical division building and installing switch boxes in the P-38 Lightning. After her time at Lockheed, she returned to Springdale where she and her brother Austen opened the Canyon Inn. It was at the Canyon Inn where she met James Ed Clark, her future husband. They married on September 10, 1947. Together they had five children, Jim, Randy, Bob, Carryn, and Jeff.

After their marriage Ed began a career with the National Parks Service working as a laborer in Zion. Ed’s career with the park service would then move him and the family to Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, Platt NP, and Glen Canyon NRA. After his retirement from the Park Service in 1983, Ed and Venece returned to Springdale to help care for her father. She loved to bake and was always looking for the next best recipe. She was a great mother and an even better grandmother, no one ever left her house hungry. Most of all she enjoyed the time she had with Ed and the love they had for each other. Venece was well known for her “Magic Billfolds” that she not only loved to craft, but also loved to sell. She could often be found at craft fairs and the local farmers market with her “Magic Billfolds” and fresh pecans.

Venece is survived by her children: James E Clark Jr. of Glendale, Robert L. (Carol) Clark of Virgin, Carryn Topham of Springdale, Stepdaughter Pamela C. (John) Denison of Johnstown, CO, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Austen, DeMont, Ward, Mack, Garry, and sister Beverly; husband James E. Clark; sons Randall D. Clark, and Jeffery W. Clark; Son-in-law Kirk Topham, and Daughter-in-law Peggy Wilkins Clark.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Springdale LDS Chapel, 1584 Zion Park Blvd. Visitation will be held February 2, 2024, at 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the chapel prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Springdale Jolley-Gifford Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Intermountain Homecare and Hospice for the wonderful care given to Venece during the past few months. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Venece’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com