April 15, 2004
Katie Clark
Katie Clark, YKHC's longtime Accounts Payable Supervisor, died suddenly on April 7. She was 51.
"We lost a great friend and a valuable employee," said Gene Peltola, YKHC's President and CEO. Katie was known for being rough and gruff on the exterior, but she was a real sweetheart and a gentlewoman to those who knew her.
Katherine E. Clark, known to all as Katie, was born on October 8, 1952, to Gerald and Gussie Demientieff. She lived in Bethel, where she grew up with three brothers-- Gerald II, Ricky and Ozzie Demientieff, and two sisters, Lela Foss and Pam Chaliak.
Katie attended the Bethel Regional High School and graduated in 1971. Later, she attended the Alaska Business College in Anchorage and learned secretarial skills. In 1982, after working as checker in a couple of stores, she applied for and was hired as an office assistant by YKHC's Executive Director at that time, George Peratrovich. She then moved up the ranks, becoming administrative assistant, accounting technician I, supply clerk, accounting technician II, and finally accounts payable supervisor, the position she held until her death.
Katie had also completed the Certified Public Managers (CPM) Program in December, 2003. She was featured in the front cover of the January, 2004, Messenger, along with 15 other YKHC staff who completed the CPM course. She would have reached her 20th year of employment at YKHC in August.
Katie loved being outdoors, especially fishing. She enjoyed boating, being at fishcamp, and ice fishing. In winter, Katie was often counted upon for pike fish updates and how the fishing was doing near the Johnson River.
Katie also liked bowling so much that at one time, many years ago, she asked for leave to attend a bowling tournament in Kodiak. On her request for leave from work, she wrote: "Since I cannot use my annual leave, I am taking leave without pay to attend the bowling tournament with or without permission." Leave was not approved, but she left anyway.
Katie is survived by her estranged husband, Johnny Clark, and children Jennifer, Teddy and Rachel (Dolly) Clark. She also had another son, Scotty, who also predeceased her.
You can make donations and contributions to support the family in three ways:
- Directly to the family
- By check payable to the Katie Clark Memorial Fund in the Accounting Department, or
- Cash or check at the Wells Fargo Bank.
An account was established at Wells Fargo as the Katie Clark Memorial Fund with a number of 6361649297. Anyone selecting this method would merely present the teller with a donation and identify this account.