James "Jim" Clark

James E. Clark, 97, of Nora Springs, Iowa, went on to his Next Big Adventure on Friday, February 20, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Jim was born to WIlliam and Pearl Clark in Newton, Iowa, during a blizzard on January 12, 1929, and was (appropriately) called to his eternal home as snow fell. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1947 and subsequently earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the Iowa State Normal School (University of Northern Iowa). Jim was a born educator and taught at many schools throughout Iowa, landing at Anson Middle School in Marshalltown, where he taught Physical Education and coached football and wrestling. Jim worked to earn his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and used his education to help place student teachers as an associate professor at University of Northern Iowa from 1970 - 1973. Jim is remembered by many for his final position in education, as the elementary principal at Nora Springs-Rock Falls, where he retired in 1997. Jim was proud of his contributions to allow all children to obtain a free education in Iowa, and spent his career doing his best to improve the lives of students through public education.

Jim was one of six brothers and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Baby, Bobby, Bill (Evelyn), and Fred (Alice) and niece Leslie. He is survived by his brother, Richard Clark (Carol), and his three daughters – Michelle Krueger (Dick), Penny Clark, and Linda True (Michael). Additionally, he was blessed to be loved by five grandchildren – Kallie Greenwald (Ryan), Jamie Stout (Caleb), Shelby Craig (Cody), Zachary Krueger (Amber), and Megan True; as well as 15 great grandchildren – Jaelyn, Addyson, Brynn, Camden, Owen, Colton, Payton, Ava, Aubrey, Keegan (Kiki), Evie, Maya, Ellianne, Jameson, and Graham. He is also survived by Debi, Freddie, Lynnie, Tasha, Dick Jr, Chrissy, Kathy, Kevin, Scott, Cassidy, Gerald and Pat, Melissa, Halle, Jen, Kaitlyn, and their families, as well as many great nieces and nephews, loving friends, and former students.

Some of Jim’s greatest joys outside of teaching were spent with his family on their vacations to Long Lake, Wisconsin, as well as kayaking, waterskiing, wrestling, walking dogs, starting track meets, road tripping throughout the United States, and hunting with his father, brothers, friends and nephews. He loved sitting on his front porch, working on cars (or boats or anything with a motor), having lunch at Pro’s Sandwich Shop and GG’s Place, attending various events of his grand- and great-grandchildren, listening to Max play his violin, driving with the windows down and air conditioning on, playing cards, hugs, and reminiscing with his brother about their adventures growing up while watching Iowa Hawkeye football.

Jim always maintained that he lived a “wonderful and full life,” so it is difficult to express the richness of his life in these few paragraphs. We hope you are able to join his family in celebrating Jim’s life at a later date, so that more stories, laughter and hugs can be shared with all those who loved him. In lieu of flowers or memorials, Jim wanted people to take a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague out for lunch, dinner or a cup or coffee (with pie, of course). His wish was that people would give their time (and a hug) to make someone’s day brighter.

It takes a lot of living to make a life ~ Jim Clark