Harriet Maxwell Clark

Harriet Maxwell Clark, 86, of Lewiston, completed her life here on earth Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, at Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams with her children by her side. Harriet was known for her positive attitude for life and her friendly outgoing nature. She was born in Fremont, Neb., on June 4, 1921, to Sam and Nellie Maxwell. She attended country schools near North Bend and Valley, graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1939 and Peru State College in 1943. She lived the majority of her life in the Lewiston community with her husband Dean. She taught English, Math, Speech and Home Economic classes at Lewiston and Summerfield, Kan., schools from 1964-1974, and was a member of the Nebraska and National Teachers Association and belonged to the Alpha Delta Kappa teachers' sorority, serving as president. Harriet was always active in the Lewiston United Methodist Church, the Lewiston Women's Extension Club, and was a 4-H leader for over 10 years. In 1994, she was named the Outstanding Extension member of Pawnee County. She served the United Methodist Church in several capacities, including president of the Nebraska Conference United Methodist Christian Educators' Fellowship; chairman of the Lewiston United Methodist Church Education Committee; chairman of the United Methodist Church Southeast District Education Committee; served on the Conference Board of Discipleship; and was a member of the National Christian Education Fellowship. In 1994, she was named the Outstanding Christian Educator for the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Lewiston United Methodist Church from 1945 to 1995, when she joined the Beatrice Centenary United Methodist Church. In 1989, Harriet was named the Nebraska Mother's Association “Mother of the Year."

Survivors include daughters, Janet Trout and husband Ken of Crab Orchard, Meredith Smidt and husband Roger of Filley; sons, Paul Clark and wife Dottie Evans of Manhattan, Kan., and Brian Clark and wife Beverly of Lincoln, Neb.; grandchildren, Neil Trout and wife Julie of Omaha, Jenny Prinsen and husband Andy of Rushford, Minn., Bert Clark of Wichita, Kan., Brian Smidt and wife Mandy of Otley, Iowa, Erin Sieh and husband Tim of York, Laura and Emily Clark of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Ronald Clark of Hillsboro, Ore.; sister, Dorothy Hughes of Lincoln, 5 great-grandchildren, Taylor and Katie Trout of Omaha, Aaron and Ryan Prinsen of Rushford, Minn., Payton Smidt of Otley, Iowa; nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Dean, in 2005; parents, Samuel and Nellie (Pritchard) Maxwell; sisters, Betty Hobson, Phyllis Becker; brother, Colonel Samuel Maxwell III; and grandson, Jeffery Trout.

Burial services Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., Lewiston Cemetery (Family and Friends Welcome). A Celebration of Life Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Centenary United Methodist Church, Sixth and Elk streets, Beatrice, the Rev. Kelly Karges presiding. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The family will greet friends Friday evening, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Memorials to the Lewiston Consolidated School Foundation, Lewiston Cemetery, Gold Crest Retirement Center, or the Centenary United Methodist Church Television Ministry. A guest book for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at http://www.harmanwrightmortuary.com">http://www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice, is in charge of arrangements.

(Paid)