Memorial

Barbara A. Clark, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, following a short illness.

A visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 9:30 AM until service time at 11 AM with the Certified Celebrant, Cindi McKee officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home website under Barbara’s obituary under the video tab, starting on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 11 AM. Interment to follow at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery-Garden of Tranquility. 

Barbara was born on December 16, 1944, in Tyler, Texas, to L. Ray and Beatrice Radley. She was raised in Springfield, Missouri, and Marshalltown, Iowa. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1963 and Marshalltown Community College in May 1965.

Barbara met Richard O. Clark in 1964, and they married in 1965. The couple settled in Cedar Rapids in 1966, where they built their life and raised their family. Barbara began her career by following her curiosity and love of travel, working for United Airlines and AAA Travel Services. 

When she and Richard started their family in 1969, Barbara put her career on hold to devote herself to her family. She embraced her role as a loving mother and wife and the heart of the Clark household. Several years later, she returned to the workforce, beginning a 20-year career with Rockwell Collins, where she worked until her retirement in 2004.

Family meant the world to Barb, and her definition of family extended well beyond relatives to include her many friends and neighbors. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured the relationships she built throughout her life. She was also a passionate and accomplished quilter, creating hundreds of unique and beautiful quilts for family, friends, and charitable organizations. Her quilts were a reflection of the care, creativity, and generosity she brought to so many lives.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Richard O. Clark, in 2015; and her parents, L. Ray Radley, in 2004, and Beatrice Radley, in 2008. She is survived by her loving family: sons Mark R. Clark of Cedar Rapids and Brad (Susan) Clark of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren Heather (Adam), Britt (Rochelle), Jenna (Michael), Grant, and Sydney; and great-grandchildren Avalyn, Lilyth, Shae, Dahlia, Piper, Bodhi, Elowyn, Anthony, Isabella, and Kayla.

The family extends its deepest appreciation to Barbara’s many friends, neighbors, caregivers, and the staff of St. Luke’s Hospice for the care, compassion, and support they provided to Barbara and her family.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa or to St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation in support of its hospice program.