Obituary of Vonna Mae Strong

Much beloved Vonna Mae Clark Strong, 92, went home to the arms of Jesus on April 28, 2016 at Carefree Assisted Living Center in Cottonwood, Arizona. Vonna was born at home on the farm July 29, 1923 to Bill and Mary Clark. She was the third of five children, Chester (Shirley) Clark, Gwendoline (Ralph) Keim, Katherine (Burton) Beilfuss and Billy (Pat) Clark. Vonna graduated from Johnstown Nebraska High School in 1941. She helped her parents who owned the Meadville General Store and her mom who was the post mistress. She married the love of her life Earl O. Strong in Ainsworth, Nebraska on December 5, 1944, enjoying each other for 28 years before Earl passed away in Williams, Arizona in 1973. To this union was born Velvet (Bill) Moore, Craig (Jane) Strong and Candy (Joe) Gonzales. She was a stay at home Mom until her children were grown. Vonna had many varied jobs: selling Tupperware, copperware, insurance clerk, and retail at Babbitts in Winslow, Arizona. She and Earl owned and operated Memory Lane Home Shop in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Later, she and her daughter Candy opened an antique store on Western Drive in Cottonwood, then Home Sweet Home Antiques on Main Street. One important, life changing event took place at the Assembly of God Church in Rockford, Illinois in 1950. Vonna’s brother and sister were instrumental in she and Earl giving their hearts and lives to Jesus, becoming life-long Christians pouring their lives into others. Vonna was best known for her deep love and commitment to her Lord, Jesus and her family. She is survived by her 3 children: Velvet Moore, Craig (Jane) Strong, Candy (Joe) Gonzales; 5 grandchildren, Eric, Tara, Larry, Candace, J.W. and also 6 great grandchildren. Vonna is also survived by daughter in law Nancy, 2 sisters-in-law’s and oh so many loved nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 3:30PM on Wednesday, May 4 at Bueler Funeral Home in Cottonwood, Arizona. Interment will be Thursday, May 5 at Mountain View Cemetery in Williams, Arizona. Our heartfelt thanks go to the loving care she received from all the great staff at Carefree Assisted Living Center and Verde Valley Community Hospice the last year of her life.