Rachel Lynnette Clark, 67, of Fairfield, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.Her life will be honored with visitation beginning at 2:00 P.M., with the family present from 5:00–7:00 P.M., on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield. A funeral service for Rachel will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the funeral home, with Pastor John Kermott officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service in Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Gifts to a memorial to be designated later by the family may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family C/O Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556.
Rachel was born on December 15, 1958, in Carthage, Illinois, to Wallace Jr. and Mary I. Wachendorf Patrick. She grew up with a strong sense of faith, family and determination, graduating from Southeast Augusta High School in 1977 and continued her education in cosmetology at Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois. Rachel set out to build a career around helping others feel cared for and confident. After college, she worked at several hair salons, and in 1996 she began working at Jodi’s Touch Hair Salon in Fairfield. For more than 30 years, she served her clients and community.
Rachel’s story also included a love that began on the softball fields of Southeast Iowa, where she met Rick Clark. The two were married on May 1, 1987, in Laguna Beach, California, beginning a life together rooted in family, shared memories, and devotion. Rachel had many passions throughout her life. She enjoyed photography and took senior pictures for several people in the area. She loved to travel and see new places, but the moments she treasured most were spent with her grandchildren, doing crafts, sewing, and baking. Rachel was active in Bible study at The Bridge Church, and her life reflected the deep love she had for her family and for God. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rick of Fairfield; four children, Jeremy Clark (Olivia) of Ottumwa, Marcus Clark (Madeline) of Fairfield, Shawn Clark (Lauren) of Des Moines, and Leanne Redding (Ryan) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a brother, Stephen Patrick (Kelly); two sisters, Becky Wright (Dave) and Marla Gronewold (Mike), all of Carthage, Illinois; and 14 grandchildren, Caroline, Jameson, Gabriel, Elijah, Aubrey, Riley, Adah, Nathan, Christian, Zeke, Elena, Ethan, John-Paul, and Zamar. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace Jr. and Mary Patrick.
