Biography of Ralph D. Clark

Ralph Dorman Clark lived a long, full, and vibrant life—one defined by his family, a lifelong passion for farming, hobbies, and the ability to make friends wherever he went. A big man with a big smile and an even bigger heart, Ralph passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Superior, Nebraska.

Ralph was born on March 1, 1938, on the family farm in rural Republic County, Kansas, to Dorman and Bula (Aurand) Clark.  He attended Rosemound Rural School through the eighth grade and graduated from Hardy High School with the Class of 1956.

On September 1, 1961, Ralph married the love of his life, Maureen Schlueter, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Byron, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with two children, and Ralph and Maureen remained sweethearts–building a life filled with travel, family, and a rich circle of lifelong friends.  Shortly after marrying, Ralph was called to active duty for the National Guard and was stationed in El Paso, Texas, during the Berlin Wall Crisis. While there, the newlyweds made many friends and took memorable excursions into Mexico. Back on the base, Ralph liked to note that he only dropped one missile while loading them for transportation. After returning home, Ralph and Maureen made their home in Republic County, near Hardy, Nebraska where they farmed and raised their family.

A farmer at heart, Ralph dedicated his life to working the land, and only stepped back into retirement in recent years. Even then, he kept tabs on farming operations and cherished regular conversations and check-ins with his nephews.

Marksmanship played a central role throughout his life, and he was an active and lifetime member of numerous shooting organizations, including the National Rifle Association, the Kansas and Nebraska Rifle Associations, the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), and the Nebraska State Sportsmen's Association.

Ralph was not only dedicated to the shooting sports; he was exceptional at it, and shooting was a family affair. Most Sundays, all four Clarks would load up the car to travel to shooting competitions near Lincoln, Omaha, and Salina.  In later years, Ralph focused on trapshooting, traveling each winter with Maureen to compete in Tucson. Spanning several decades of competition, Ralph anchored the Nebraska Senior Veteran State Team and was selected to the Nebraska State Trapshooting All-Team several times, cementing his legacy as one of the state's most enduring veterans of the sport. He was most proud of his induction into the Nebraska Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame in 2017 and for achieving his lifelong goal of attaining 100,000 single targets in registered ATA events in 2023. To the fellow trap shooters who knew him, Ralph was a true friend to take the line with and a genuine lover of the sport.

Ralph and Maureen were avid bridge players, frequently attending or hosting bridge parties until the wee hours in the morning, and in later years, attending more low-key day-time bridge clubs.  Ralph always looked forward to his morning coffee groups, where stories were shared, laughter was plentiful, and friendships were formed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorman and Bula Clark; his sisters Juanita Clark Laughlin and Winnie Clark Sayre (husband, Bob); his brother, Ray Clark (wife Donna); a nephew, Steve Sayre; and his infant brother, Harry Clark.

Survivors include his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Maureen Clark; his son, Kirk (Brenda) Clark of Stow, Massachusetts; his daughter, Shelia (Ted) Smith of Lawrence, Kansas; his grandchildren, Nicole (Ben) Dugan, Emily (Dave) Bean, Sydney Smith, and Sammi Smith; his great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kate, and Nora; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a wide circle of dear friends.

Ralph took pride in sharing some of his life stories that were enjoyed by all who knew him.   These colorful stories will be remembered and retold, and for a lucky few his special tales that were less widely shared will be treasured.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10:00 am from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska with Pastor Jack Roegner officiating.

Music was "In the Garden," "Amazing Grace," and Paul Harvey's "So God Made a Farmer."

Visitation was held on July 30, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00.

Pallbearers were Jack Clark, Ben Dugan, Wes Clark, Tyler Clark, Thayne Clark and Lindley Schlueter.

Interment with Military Honors was in the Rosemound Cemetery, rural Republic, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to go to the Nebraska Trap Shooting Association or American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.