Eugene D. Clark, age 86, of Elkton, SD, passed away on Friday, February, 20, 2026, at the Canby Nursing Home in Canby, MN.

Eugene Donald Clark was born on December 26, 1939, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Sam and Ruth (Radunz) Clark. Born several weeks premature, he began life as a fighter—kept warm by heated bricks in the days before modern incubators and overcoming the odds from the very start. He often said he was fortunate to be alive, and that quiet strength and resilience remained with him throughout his life, even into his final days in hospice.

Growing up, Gene shared fond memories of helping his parents run their service stations before the family eventually made their home north of Elkton, in the rolling hills of the Buffalo Ridge. Those early years shaped his life, and his love for storytelling and appreciation for farm life.

On December 15, 1967, Gene married Bertha Atwood, and together they welcomed six children. Gene was a lifelong farmer who took immense pride in his land and livestock. Even as dementia touched his later years, his mind never left the farm—he was still milking cows, planting fields, calving heifers, chopping silage, or fixing a tire in the world he carried within him.

He found joy in the simple pleasures: attending auctions and farm sales, antiquing or finding the best bargain, taking long drives or day trips, sharing stories from years gone by, and striking up conversations with anyone willing to listen. To friends he was known by the nickname "Jackson". He was a natural jokester, known for his humorous slang and playful expressions. Above all, nothing brought him more happiness than time spent with his grandchildren. They made him smile, and they brought him tremendous joy.

Despite the challenges of dementia and declining health, Gene’s faith remained steady. He could still recite the Lord’s Prayer and sing his favorite hymns, a testament to the deep roots of his belief.

Gene is survived by his children: Matt (Jackie) Clark, Adam Clark, Lisa Marie (Kevin) Rybinski, Joseph Clark, and Angel (Curt) Ahmann, along with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Nygaard Christensen; his parents, Sam and Ruth Clark; and numerous relatives.

The family is deeply grateful to the Canby Sanford Hospice care team and the Nursing Home staff for the gentle care, kindness, and comfort they offered Gene over the years.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkton, SD.