OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Corinne R. (Bronson) Clark, formerly of Osage City, Kan., and of Topeka, Kan., passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital. She was born Oct. 24, 1934, at Osage City, the daughter of Earl and Anna Mae (Burd) Bronson.
Corinne grew up in rural America, riding her horse each day to the Old 88 Schoolhouse near Osage City, and later graduating from Osage City High School with the class of 1952. Her childhood in the Bronson household was filled with adventure, love, and helping her family at the Bronson Skating Rink, in Osage City.
Following graduation, Corinne married Larry Bailey. Together they started a family before separating. She then married Don Bernhardt and continued building her family.
Corinne dedicated many years of service working as a driver’s license examiner for Shawnee County and also enjoyed a career in real estate. While raising her children, she took great pride in her neighborhood and community, opening her home to local children with warmth, snacks, kindness, and a welcoming heart.
Later in life, she married Daryl Clark, and the two shared nearly 28 wonderful years together. Corinne was also deeply involved in her community, volunteering with the MDA Telethon beginning in 1968 and many MDA events, VFW Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi culture, and Social Women’s Sorority.
Corinne enjoyed bread and noodle making, writing her own poetry, spending time at the family cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks, and cheering on the Kansas City Royals. Although her name was Corinne, each fall she famously transformed into “Hesterella Catumpkins,” a beloved Halloween witch character born from a promise she made to her daughter’s Girl Scout troop in 1966. For many years, she became the life of countless parties, bringing smiles, laughter, and just the right amount of fright as the “Good Witch.” Corinne will be remembered for her huge heart, her ornery spirit, her storytelling and love of telling jokes, and her unmistakable Bronson smarts, better known as her “BS.”
Survivors include her three daughters, Connie Havens, Dawn Bernhardt (Morris Friedman), and Penny Crouse (Marlin); six grandchildren, Charles “Chaz” Havens, Robert Havens, Jessica Carling, Matthew Cook, Shaun Crouse, and Dustin Crouse; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Loretta Warren (Herb), Overbrook, Kan.; brother, Donald “Don” Bronson (Patty), Louisiana, Mo.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Through her marriage to Daryl, Corinne became a part of a larger extended family that included many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and loved ones.
Corinne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Daryl Clark; sister, Betty Curley; and son-in-law, Dudley Havens.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW Sixth Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. The funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the funeral home, with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to VFW-Philip Billard Post No. 1650 or Overbrook Historical Society, sent in care of the funeral home.
Condolences can be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.
