Gerene Clark Little, 86
Gerene Clark Little has passed from our worldly sphere (March 16, the day of her mother’s birth). Her abundant energy, creative talent and bold ventures touched all the lives of those fortunate enough to know her – friends and family alike. Gerene was an icon in the Flathead valley having lived here nearly her entire life. She was lucky to have lived at all. Born on Dec. 23, 1933 in Columbia Missouri to Eloise and Clifton C. Clark (who founded the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Kalispell in 1935), she came in to this world with a potentially terminal heart defect – a valve that would not close. As a child, she could not run, play, or get excited. At the age of 11, however, her parents took her to the Mayo clinic in New York for an experimental open-heart procedure that gave her new life and it lasted far longer than the doctor who performed the procedure could have dreamt (he was flabbergasted to see her upon his retirement).
Gerene met her husband, Tom (Dr. Tom D. Little, the renowned dentist in Kalispell), as high-school sweethearts while attending Flathead High School. Gerene was a varsity cheerleader while Tom was a star athlete on the team. After a stint in Oregon where Tom earned his bachelor’s degree at Oregon State and a DMD from Oregon, they returned to Kalispell with their first born daughter Debi and second born son Jay (sadly deceased in 1983) to settle in and rear three more children, Todd, Amy, and Chris.
Gerene’s creative side was evident in everything she touched or put her mind to. Craft-wise, she could make anything out of anything but even on a larger scale her creative vision was remarkable. She designed and oversaw construction of the home that served as her command center as a wife, mother, creative spirit, and business entrepreneur. Completed in 1966, the home that Gerene built is still visionary in both its subtle and obvious architectural features.
As a consummate interior designer, the home was always changing – staying just ahead of the times when it came to style and décor. Seasonally, Gerene would envelop our home with thematic décor for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and back to Christmas – easily the most favorite time of the year for both Tom and Gerene, with usually three trees fully decorated and a plethora of ornaments, figurines, wreaths, lights and the like.
In 1970, Gerene opened the Strawberry Patch in the former Gateway West Mall and later moved it to Center Street before selling it in 2008. For those 38 years, the Strawberry Patch was a mainstay of home enthusiasts who valued the aesthetic and enriching benefits that a well-decorated home and apportioned kitchen affords – the warmth and welcome that truly feels like home. How many homes in Montana and beyond have Gerene’s vision of home, we can’t know; but we do know that those who do have also been touched by the amazing vision that Gerene brought to her love. And love it she did. From the joy she got traveling to markets from Seattle to New York to our tradition of family joining her to operate the store for last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve.
Gerene also embraced the kitchen in her life and in her entrepreneurial efforts. She was instrumental in Gourmet Club for many years and later offered cooking lessons through one of her ventures, Pasta To Go, which she opened in the Gateway West Mall in 1980s. Though it thrived for a short time as a go to restaurant for catering and eating, she did sell the restaurant. With her love of cooking and sense of style, Gerene’s parties always provided a warm ambiance and hearty bounty for her many guests and loving friends.
“To make a friend, you need to be a friend,” characterized Gerene’s life. She was always surrounded by numerous friends, many of whom, in one way or another, participated in her love of food, craft, design, remodel, decoration, and/or shopping. Gerene was generous and thoughtful; always there for her friends – whether crying with them until they laugh or laughing with them until they cry; and her laugh – oh, her laugh – it was the most genuine and infectious laugh that would light up your heart and bring a smile to your face. It will ring in the memories of all who knew Gerene.
With her endless energy, Gerene made the most of every single day. A hallmark trait of hers was her ability to plan and organize – from as simple as her day ahead to small activities, large events, and life in general – never stopping until a task was done and then effortlessly moving on to the next. In fact, we affectionately referred to her as General Gerene, even though it was her brother Clifton C. “Tip” Clark, Jr. who was an actual general. She marched to a gentle hum we all enjoyed and effortlessly guided those around her to march also to the steady beat of her hum. We, as Gerene’s children, having accomplished lives and professions, attribute much of our success to skills Gerene passed along to us and the example of the life she led – a life well lived, filled with joy, mirth and love.
Gerene is survived by her loving husband Tom, who cared for her at home to the very end with the constant love and support of their angelic granddaughter, Amanda Little. Tom and Gerene were married 65 years. She has four surviving children, Debi Little (husband Marty Bridenstine), Todd Little (fiancée April Doyal), Amy Besel (husband Darrell), and Chris Little (wife Carline); nine grandchildren, Chasen Little (wife Lauren), Shayla Curlott, Amanda Little, Danny Little (fiancée Bryka Peterson), Tommy Little, Molly Little (fiancée Westen Bich), Abby Little, Marlee Besel, Roslynn Besel; four great-grandchildren, Sierra Curlott, Myah Curlott, Mabrey Little, and Rowan Little; and one brother, Clifton C. “Tip” Clark, Jr. (wife Diane Almini Clark).
In lieu of flowers, Tom asks that you simply make a donation to a charity of your choice. This summer, around the time that would have been their 66th wedding anniversary (June 21st), there will be a celebration of Genere’s life. Announcement will follow.
Gerene will be missed but never forgotten as the tears we shed stand testament to our abiding love and remembrance. Godspeed Gerene Clark Little; Godspeed, mom …
— Debi, Todd, Amy, and Chris