Helena Bernadette "Berni" Clark

1945 - 2024

Helena Bernadette " Berni" Clark, 78

Helena Bernadette "Berni" Clark 78 of Hayden Lake Idaho left our world on July 17, 2024, in Coeur D' Alene Idaho. Berni was born on August 5,1945 in Simcoe Ontario Canada to Albert and Edna Hegmans.



Berni was raised on a tobacco farm in Simcoe Ontario, Canada. Her mother passed away at an early age and Berni guided her younger brother and sister while helping her father on the farm. Berni graduated from high school in Simcoe Ontario and went to work as a legal assistant for a local attorney.



I met Berni in high school and our love was instant and enduring. Michael L. Clark and Helena Bernadette "Berni" Hegmans were married in Simcoe Ontario Canada on October 23, 1965. We were married for 59 amazing years.



Our marriage and life together were a wonderful trip, beginning in a remote mining town in Northern British Columbia, Canada where our daughter Paige was born. Over the next 35 years we lived in several interesting places ending up in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Our two sons were born along the way, Paul in Butte, Montana and Jake in Bismarck, North Dakota.



My beautiful wife, lover, best friend and mother of my children, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her. Berni was smart, artistic, creative, kind and always had a great smile. Generous and loving to all. She had many hobbies and interests, ladies book club, she loved to read. Knitting club at the KROC center, 9 Hole Ladies League at Avondale Golf Club. She loved to paint, crochet, and create pottery. Berni had a generous heart donating crochet hats to the KROC center and" Digna Chicks" Kootenai Cancer Center. She loved all things outdoors and family events.



I could say many things about my wonderful wife but those who knew her have the real story. She did not waste words and that is what her real friends know, she was sassy and full of energy, and she is dearly missed.



Preceding her in death was her sister Pauline Woodey of Lexington Kentucky. Berni is survived by her husband Michael L. Clark, "Mike" of Hayden Lake, Idaho. Sons Paul Clark and Jacob Clark of Hayden, Idaho. Daughter Paige and Son in Law Phill Weist of Hayden, Idaho. Brother Gary Hegmans and Heidi of Simcoe, Ontario Canada. Sister Christine and Etienne Cremery of Simcoe, Ontario Canada.



Berni's grandchildren were her heart. Phillip Weist of Seattle, Washington, Hannah and Parker Scholz of Post Falls, Idaho, Sheridan Clark, and Hailey Clark from Hayden Idaho. Her love for them was amazing.



Berni also had several nieces and nephews. Marni Strobel and family of Owensboro KY, Chelsee Martin and family St. Petersburg FL, Kim Slade and family in Baden Ontario, Canada, Troy Bint and family in Simcoe Ontario, Canada. Paula Hegmans and family of Port Rowan Ontario, Canada and Rhonda Reimer and family of Simcoe Ontario, Canada.



If you would like to donate in Berni's memory, please donate to Kootenai Cancer Center. Yates Funeral Home has a tribute wall for condolences.



Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday September 22 at the Atrium Professional Building 13403 N. Government Way, Hayden. Park on the West side, event will be on the main floor NW corner. Please join us.



As Berni always said "SHINE ON"