Donnis Clark

Donnis Mildred Lueking Clark, 92, was born November 29, 1925, and passed into the arms of Jesus on February 8, 2018 at her home in Leawood. She is preceded in death by husband, David H. Clark; parents, Fred and Tyra Lueking; and favorite aunt, Mildred Lloyd. She is survived by 3 children: Kimberly Clark Sharp (Don), Paul Clark (Sharon) and Kristina Clark Howell (Randy); brother Rev. Dean Lueking (Beverly); 11 grandchildren: Andrew Sharp, Jennifer Sharp Bragg, Rebecca Sharp, Joanna Clark Posten (Brett), Joel Clark (Trisha), Jessica Clark Tilzer (Jordan), Jeremy Clark (Alexa), Melinda Howell Mierek (Matt), Matthew Howell (Heidi), Meagan Howell Stewart (Jason), and Meredith Howell (Matt G.); 11 great-grandchildren: Adrian Sharp and Thaddeus Bragg, Elsa Jane and Tate Posten, Ila Wren and Marlowe Tilzer, Lydia and Ridley Clark, Brayden and Bailey Mierek, and Penelope Howell.

Donnis grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, attending Francis Willard Elementary and Paseo High School. After her freshman year at Park College, she transferred to the University of Missouri to pursue art and design. She joined Gamma Phi Beta, and remained active in the Greater KC Alumnae Chapter the rest of her life.

Donnis met David through a pen pal relationship during WWII. They married in Kansas City on August 4, 1946. After the birth of Kimberly, they moved to Palo Alto, California, where David attended Stanford Law School. Donnis, homesick for family and familiarity, motivated David to return to Kansas City where he attained his degree at UMKC School of Law. This led to a 38-year career with Shook, Hardy and Bacon.

Their first home became crowded with the births of Paul and Kristina. Building their own home in Leawood, Kansas in 1958, provided Donnis the opportunity to further express her remarkable gifts of design. This gift expanded into a successful career in interior design and antiquities. She gained knowledge and experience from those well-known in the Kansas City arts and design community. Eventually, she opened her own shop, The Wickery, in the heart of the Westport. Abandoning retail, she turned her focus solely to interior decoration, where her talent was displayed in the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse tours and in many notable Kansas City homes. Added to her career was involvement in KC Young Matrons and Friends of Art - The Nelson-Atkins Museum.

Donnis experienced a major lifestyle change in the early ’70s when she surrendered her life to her Savior, Jesus Christ. Within a few years, David gave his heart to the Lord, which in turn, created a renewed marriage. As they grew closer to each other, and Jesus, the Holy Spirit forged David’s hunger for Biblical knowledge and her gift of intercessory prayer into a prolific duo for the gospel. From the pioneering years as charter members of Zion Lutheran Church to their years as “spiritual parents” of Heartland Community Church and Christ Community, they left a noteworthy footprint. After sharing 53 years of marriage, David passed in 1999. She continued her faith walk by participating in Circle 17 at Country Club Christian Church, Growing Deeper Bible Study at Colonial Presbyterian Church and numerous home fellowship groups.

She was a supreme hugger with a sharp wit and contagious sense of humor that consumed everyone she met. No doubt her lasting family legacy was praying a portion of Psalm 139 as a travel blessing for loved ones as they embarked toward their destinations. That family tradition is firmly established and certain to be carried to future generations.

A visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, February 17, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 18, at Christ Community-Brookside Campus, 400 W. 67th St., Kansas City, MO 64113. A private burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens