In Loving Memory April Kay Clark passed forward on February 1, 2025 at her home in Hill City, Kansas, surrounded by her beloved family and her cherished cats. She was 78 years old.
She is survived by her sons, Jason Shelton, Hoxie, Jordan Shelton, Portland, OR., a grandson Latham Shelton, Portland, OR., her sister and brother-in-law, Roberta Clark Meckel and Mark Meckel, Nashville, TN., nephew Nathan Meckel and wife Marianne, and niece Abra Niemiec and husband Mark all of Nashville, TN, great nieces and nephews Sofia and Cohen Meckel, and Silas and Emma Niemiec all of Nashville, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents W. Kenneth Clark and Lorraine Latham Clark of Hill City.
Born on May 11, 1946, in Topeka, Kansas, Kay spent her early childhood in Hoxie, her father having moved there to start his law practice. At the age of 7 she moved with her family to Hill City, where she attended local schools, graduating from Hill City High School in 1964. Even during her school years, Kay’s love for language arts was evident as she contributed a weekly column to the Hill City Times.
She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and special education from Fort Hays State University, later completing a master’s degree in education. Kay spent many years teaching special education in the Hill City school system, where she was known for her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her students. She was honored as “Educator of the Year” by the Northwest Kansas Council for Exceptional Children, Chapter No. 892, and also served as the chapter’s Membership Chairperson.
Kay’s passion for her community was evident throughout her life. She worked with the Graham County Arts Council, coordinating school and library arts programs, sang in the Graham County Chorus, which performed an annual Easter Cantata, and was a volunteer for many other activities in the community. She was an active member of the Hill City Presbyterian Church, participating in many church events, including the Presbyterian Centennial Auction.
She later became Principal of The Beamgard Learning Center in Atwood, Kansas. She also served as a board member of High Plains Public Radio, where she was recognized for her support of public broadcasting, particularly through fundraising and membership drives.
Kay moved to Wichita, where she taught for a decade at Judge Riddel’s Boys Ranch, a residential school for adjudicated youth and part of the Wichita School System. She taught there until its closure. She attended the Wichita – Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Citizen Police Academy, and continued serving the community through volunteer work related to public safety.
Kay loved teaching and viewed each student as a unique, developing person with individual talents and skills. She looked forward to IEP (Individualized Educational Program) meetings because she truly believed each student should receive a coordinated plan to meet the educational needs of the individual student, recognizing the strengths and challenges of each student, thus helping to set goals and rewards for that student. She talked respectfully and affectionatly about her students long after she quit teaching. She truly cared for each student as an individual and was excited for each and every student who made strides toward their goals. Kay retired from teaching in 2009. After a brief retirement adjustment……….the fun began.
Kay was a voracious reader from an early age, checking out stacks of books from the public library on a weekly basis began in early grade school. She had a deep interest in local history and in her high school years could often be found exploring old 1800’s cemeteries in and around Graham County. She was always saddened to see tombstones of an entire family who had died from epidemics such as small pox, diphtheria, measles, etc.
Kay was always fascinated by “old things,” and loved to hear stories about her pioneer great-grandparents who settled in Sheridan County. She began collecting antique furniture, glassware, dishes, clothing items, photos, and many others. While teaching in Hill City, she and two friends opened an antique store. This gave her reason (or an excuse) to go to auctions and estate sales all over western Kansas. She began to collect specific items keen to her interests including old post cards, miniatures, watches, jewelry – especially brooches, photos, and period clothing.
Kay came to be known by the brooches (some would say gaudy brooches) she wore on a daily basis. In fact, Kay was rarely seen without a big, colorful, gaudy, antique brooch. Her brooches initiated conversation - many times with total strangers, occasionally catalyzing new friendships. Some people failed to admire her fine ornaments, but others appreciated her love for the weird pins she wore. She had a relationship with each brooch and would willingly give historic information about each one.
Kay also collected antitque watches, i.e., Vintage, Art Noveau style, Modern, Classic, Pocket, etc, and of course they all had to be wound by hand. In addition, she collected old and antique clocks such as Parlor Shelf clocks, Mantle clocks, Bombay clocks, Wall Clocks, and Cuckoo clocks. She had a beautiful grandfather clock, built by her son Jason. At one period in her life, she had fourteen large clocks in her house. They all had multiple parts and each required a unique winding method on a daily basis, some with special keys, others with chains. The cuckoos sounded every hour. But at the stroke of midnight, every night….it sounded like a concert in her house with all clocks chimming at the same time. Kay understood the inner workings and knew the history of each clock.
Kay had always been interested in button collecting. The last couple of decades of her life, she became much more focused (some might say obsessed) and passionate about buttons. Many of her collection enteries in button contests, won numerous blue ribbons, in addition to red and green ribbons. Her wealth of information about buttons led to many speaking and program presentations to various clubs and organizations. Kay was a member of the National Button Society, Kansas Button Society, and the South Central Button Club. She attended many state and national button conventions.
Of all the collections Kay had, she knew the most important one was her collection of friends. Kay had a gift for friendship and cherished every bond she formed. From a young age, she made friends easily and nurtured those connections throughout her life. She kept in touch with many of her childhood and school friends. Her high school graduating class held a special place in her heart—she loved attending annual class reunions.
Her circle of close friendships expanded through the years, including deep connections with teaching colleagues and members of various social and community groups.
Kay was an active and beloved member of book clubs, the Unity and Presbyterian churches, and the ever-spirited Button Club. In fact, Button Club was like family to her.
Her life was enriched by the many friendships she cultivated, and in return she enriched the lives of those around her.
Kay was always in touch with her “inner child.” She was funny and fun-loving, delighted by life’s simple pleasures, and always up for a good surprise. Her joyful spirit was infectious—whether she was laughing with friends, marveling at a small kindness, or bringing light-heartedness to everyday moments, Kay had a way of making life feel a little more magical. Kay has been described as interesting, spontaneous, quirky, wacky, upbeat, thoughtful, helpful, and fun. She never knew a stranger—her warmth and openness made everyone feel welcome. Whether she was sharing a laugh, telling a story, or planning her next venture, Kay brought energy and color wherever she went.
Kay shared a special bond and heartfelt connection with each member of her family. Though small in number, her family - supportive and united by love, knew she was not only cherished but irreplaceable – a constant presence whose kindness, generosity, and humor left a lasting imprint on their lives.
Kay will be remembered for her compassion, her tireless advocacy for students, her deep and lasting friendships, her childlike wonder, and her ability to find joy in the little things. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched – as a teacher, mentor, friend, sister, mother and grandmother.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Avenue, Hill City, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m.