BURLINGAME, Kan. – Cassandra Sue Clark, 40, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at her home near Burlingame, Kan. Cassie was born July 9, 1984, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kan., the daughter of Mark and Becky Herrick Zeller.
She grew up in Eskridge, Kan., and attended Mission Valley High School, where she graduated with the class of 2002. Her education continued through classes at Allen County Community College and Fort Hays State University.
Cassie was joined in marriage to Shane A. Clark, Jan. 1, 2005, in Eskridge. Cassie put her education on hold to be a full-time mom. Her caring and nurturing skills were not limited to her own children. Cassie found time to work with other children through the Building Blocks Day Care, Topeka. She always seemed to know which child needed a little bit more time and attention, and gladly gave of herself.
As her own children got a bit older, Cassie decided to restart her journey toward being a teacher. She went on to finish her education through Fort Hays State University, earning degrees in elementary education and special education. She began her new endeavor teaching preschool classes at Lyndon. In 2022, Cassie became the first grade teacher and cheer coach at Mission Valley Schools, where she had previously served children as a Title 1 provider.
To Cassie, teaching was a calling and not just a job. She approached being an educator with the same joy and love as the children she taught – often working hand in hand with the paras doing whatever needed to be done. Cassie could hardly wait for Spirit Week, when she got the opportunity to dress up and be silly alongside the young people she was blessed to teach.
Her sense of community pride ran deep. Cassie was instrumental in planning and carrying out the local veterans celebration, spending countless hours preparing the meals to honor the men and women who served our country.
She was a devoted “Dance Mom,” traveling throughout the Midwest with her daughter, Lottie, from event to event making sure every detail was taken care of. Cassie loved to go camping, kayaking and biking with her family, and creating treasured memories fishing with her son, Jarrek.
Cassie knew the value of hard work and self-sufficiency, a trait she strived to instill in her children as well as the children in her care. At the young age of 13 she took multiple jobs, which included providing day care, waitressing at local cafes, and working at her hometown grocery store.
Cassie’s smile and genuine love for others will live on in the hearts and treasured memories of her husband, Shane; her beloved children, Lottie and Jarrek; parents, Mark and Becky; sisters, Lindsay and Katie; maternal grandmother, Linda Herrick; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Iva and Alan Clark; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Monty and Jenni Clark; nieces, Hattie Mae Schwanz, Samarah McCoy and Hailee McCoy; nephews, Drew Clark and Colten Clark; and numerous extended family and a community of dear friends.
She was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, Lester Herrick Sr.; paternal grandparents, Marvin and Norma Zeller and a paternal uncle, Jim Zeller.
A service honoring Cassie’s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at Federated Church of Burlingame, 322 S. Topeka Ave., Burlingame. The family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will follow services at Eskridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cassie Clark Memorial Fund (For the Benefit of Student Growth), and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.
