Louise Abegg Clarke

Our “Madre,” Hannah Louise Abegg Clarke passed away peacefully, at her home on Friday evening, 8 December 2017, at the age of 96 from causes incident to age. She was born 30 May 1921 in Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico to Moroni Lehi and Rinda Taylor Abegg and raised in Colonia Dublán (the “Mormon Colonies”),  she then spent most of her adult life in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was called Hannah in her early years, then switched her preferred name to Louise. Louise’s only sibling, a brother, Moroni Taylor Abegg was born two years later and preceded her in death, as did her mother and father, her husband John and her grandson Michael David Aucoin Clarke.

As a child Louise attended the Juarez Stake Academy. She was the valedictorian of her eighth-grade class. At the age of fifteen she enrolled in classes at the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City. She eventually learned to type 100 words per minute, an excellent speed on the manual typewriters of her day. At the age of 18, she was crowned the Cinco de Mayo Queen. After high school graduation, Louise attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah where she was elected as President of the Associated Women Students. She graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Speech and Drama and a minor in Spanish.

Louise had many fascinating employment opportunities and was a secretary to several important people over the years. She also taught at LDS and Stevens-Henager Business Colleges and at Head Start for underprivileged children. Her friends and acquaintances from all endeavors have always been an important part of her life. Louise’s love of music performance began at a young age. She started piano lessons at the age of six and became accomplished enough to perform and accompany others early, and also sang as an alto in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 30 years. In May of 1951, Louise went to New York City to work for Time, Incorporated. While in New York, she met John Farnes Clarke from Driggs, Teton County, Idaho who was there attending Columbia University. On 16 May 1952, they were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. John and Louise have two children Michael Abegg Clarke (wife, Maribeth Christensen Clarke) and “Sue” Rinda Suzanne Clarke Shelton (husband, Steven Lee Watson). Michael’s children are Havilah Michele, Jonathan Moroni Aucoin, Katherine Elaine, and Michael David Clarke (deceased). Suzanne’s children are Stephen Mark, Rinda Ann, Brian Clarke, Daniel William, Stephanie Suzanne, Spencer LeGrand, and Robyn Louise Shelton.  John and Louise enjoyed traveling the world together with friends and family. The family has always called Louise and John, “Madre and Padre.” Madre’s personal appearance and dress, her love of red and classy beautiful things, her flat-stacked Enchiladas and her kindness, graciousness and zest for life will all be greatly missed. Madre and Padre now have eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren that they loved and enjoyed very much. Louise served as a volunteer hostess at the Beehive House for several years. Active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, she served as President of the Beacon Camp. Louise served an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Mexico Mission from 1944-1946. After retirement, Louise and John served in the Russia Samara Mission from 1993-1995. In 2002, they accepted another missionary call to the Russia Moscow South Mission.  Louise served in many LDS callings including Relief Society and Young Women presidencies, English and Spanish language extraction missions, and as a temple worker at the Salt Lake Temple. Louise loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was happy to be a member of His Church. Madre had a full life. She said if she could do it all over again, she would skip the getting old part.

Relatives and friends can greet the family at a viewing for Louise to be held on Friday evening, 15 December 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the LDS Foothill 7th Ward Building, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. The interment will be Saturday morning, 16 December 2017, gathering at 9:45 a.m., with the grave dedication at 10:00 a.m. at Camp Williams Cemetery, located at 17111 South 1700 West, Bluffdale, Utah. The funeral service will follow the interment on Saturday at 12:00 noon, held at the LDS Foothill 7th Ward Building, 2215 East Roosevelt Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. Louise’s favorite color was red. If you can, please wear something red to these occasions in her honor.  Funeral arrangements are by Russon Brothers Mortuary.