Obituary of Joleen K. Clarke

Joleen K. "Jody" Clarke, the daughter of Marvin A. and Barbara A. (Buzalsky) Clarke, was born August 29, 1956 in Newton, Iowa. Jody loved animals. She worked as a pet groomer in Newton for over twenty years. Jody loved working in her yard and tending to her flowers. She was always ready for a road trip, especially with her family and enjoyed getting photos placed into albums (all 39 of them!) Jody was an avid and loyal University of Iowa Hawkeye Fan and a Chicago Cubs fan. For Jody, the joy of her life came from her son, daughter-in-law and grandkids. Jody died on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 54 years old. Jody was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Larry Dale Edward Clarke on July 30, 2009. Those left to honor Jody's memory include her son, Jason (Karen) Clarke of Fremont, California; her grandchildren, Alison and Ryan; her brother, Dari (Susie) Clarke of Newton; her sister, Bonnie Clarke of Newton; her nieces, Casey and Courtney; and her uncle, Gilbert (Ruth) Buzalsky and her many good friends. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends prior to the service. Memorials may be designated to the Hospice of Jasper County or the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and may be left at the funeral home. On-line condolences may be left at www. pencefh.com