Mary Clarkin

Mary Clarkin, 68, of Eaton, formerly of Fort Collins, passed away March 29, 2010 at Pathways Hospice Care Center at McKee Medical Center in Loveland, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary Ilene Hanks was born to Dale and Mary Hanks on September 15, 1941 in Fort Riley, Kansas. She was the third of five children. Mary grew up in the midwest and after her father's retirement from the military, her family settled in the Lake City, Iowa area. Mary graduated from Lake City High School in May of 1959. Mary and her husband, Edward Clarkin "the boy next door" were united in marriage on August 23, 1959. In 1961, on the flip of a coin, they chose to move to Fort Collins instead of Florida. They settled in Fort Collins and started their family. They had three children, Suzanne, Bill and Dean. Mary worked for and retired from Colorado State University. She worked for the Natural Resource Ecology Lab, the Accounts Payable Department, College of Natural Sciences and CSMATE. Mary was known for the smile she greeted everyone with when they came into her office. Mary loved working with all the students throughout her years there. Mary's family was her pride and joy and she loved spending time with them, but her biggest joy was her five grandchildren, Eric, Natalie, Tommy, Ryan and Shane. She loved her family with all her heart. Mary is survived by her husband of 50 years, Edward, daughter, Suzanne (Marty) Hansen of Austin, Texas, son, Bill (Patty) Clarkin of Fort Collins, son, Dean (Christa) Clarkin of Wellington , and her five grandchildren, Eric and Natalie Hansen, Tommy Clarkin, Ryan and Shane Clarkin. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Gunderson of Menno, South Dakota, brother, Gary Hanks of Eaton, Colorado and sisters, Barbara Andrews of Lake City, Iowa and Sandra Hein of Greenville, South Carolina. Mary is preceded in death by her father, Dale Hanks, her stepfather, Leonard Gunderson and brother, Donald Hanks. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at Timberline Church on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's name to Pathways Hospice of Larimer County, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525.