Jean Clark Vanderklis

Mom was born April 2, 1942, to Bennie and Katie Merritt in Magnolia, North Carolina.

In the summer of 1958, while walking on Carolina Beach with her cousin, a hurricane was on its way. A very handsome Air Force military police officer told them they needed to get off the beach. Mom told her cousin that Dad was the man of her dreams. She was going to marry him. They met again a few weeks later and they started dating. Mind you, Mom was only 16 years old.

That was the beginning of her fairytale life. Soon after, they married on November 2, 1958. Dad then left the service and the two of them began their move to California. Here they were, newlyweds and a German Shepherd named Fury set out in a 1951 Dodge pickup for Arcata, California.

Mom had really never been out of North Carolina and they were up to the adventure. Once they arrived in Arcata they found out they were expecting their first child. November 2, 1959, was their first anniversary and the next day their daughter Debra was born. Soon to follow was Katherine and then Pete had arrived.

There she was, 3,000 miles from home with three babies and only 20 years old. Dad worked three jobs. He bucked hay, was a gas station attendant, and was fortunate to work for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department. She was the wife of a resident deputy in Orick.

Mom never really had a job other than the most important one…. being MOM. After we grew she took some part-time jobs since we were not totally dependent on her.

Mom and Dad had a fantastic relationship. The words love, respect, patience, and understanding were often used. In November they would have been together 65 years.

Mom will be leaving behind the love of her life, Piet Van Der Klis; daughter Debra Kamberg (Robert); daughter Katherine Boone; son Pete Vanderklis (Jan) and daughter Angie Kendrick (Bobby); her grandchildren Bobby Kamberg (Elicia), Steven Kamberg (Samantha), Stephanie Kamberg, Jason Boone, Scott Boone (Andrea), PJ Vanderklis and Matt Vanderklis.

She was most proud of the great-grandchildren Christina Boone, Hayden Kamberg, Hallie Jean Skillings, Killian Kamberg, Koah Kamberg, and Anna Boone, and is now in heaven with Jon Jon Vanderklis. She is missed so much already!

Love you always and forever… There will be a private service held August 4, 2023, for family and friends of our sweet angel.