Helen Clara (Janca) Clark, 101, of Louisville, KY (formerly Campbellsville, KY), passed away on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. She was born on October 5, 1923 to the late Edward Janca and Helen Mazur Janca of Rowena, Texas, 6th of 10 children raised in the German-Czechoslovakian Texas community.
Helen was raised in a sharecropper’s house on a Cotton Farm during WWI, the Depression, WWII, and survived countless other catastrophes over her lifetime.
During WWII at an Air Force Base Dance in San Antonio, Helen and Bennie met. Six weeks later they were married, the war ended so they made their home in Henderson, KY where Bennie was raised. From there they moved to Lexington where Bennie got his degree in Agriculture. After several moves they settled in Campbellsville where they raised Linda and Debbie.
Helen worked at Lincoln Income Life Insurance, tutored Math in the GED program and enjoyed anything outdoors, especially camping, boating and fishing with Bennie and the girls. She had an amazing green thumb with the most gorgeous flowers and vegetables. She loved quilting, sewing, cooking and playing bridge with the girls. There was nothing that she couldn’t do.
In her seventies after Bennie passed away, she asked if it would be ok if she went to work as a Greeter at Kmart. Very soon after starting that job, they promoted her to an Assistant Manager after realizing her potential. She always gave 110% of everything she did.
Helen adored her grandchildren, creating memories that they cherish. From growing and making Nanny’s Lime Pickles to summers in Campbellsville going to Miller Park, the Baptist Church indoor basketball, and the Par 3 golf, she made sure everyone was having a good time.
She loved her UK Wildcats and never missed a game. She also watched eight years of Janca’s golf, walking the entire course each time. Her happiness was when she had the grandkids at her home teaching them life lessons and how to love one another.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Clark; a son-in-law, Mike Millett; Parents Edward Janca and Helen Mazur Janca; four sisters: Stella Laza (Emmett), Mary Davis, Olga Kissinger (Wayne), and Lillie Kuhns (Fred); two brothers: Eddie Janca and Albert Janca (Freida); a sister-in-law, Lettie Lowe (Craig); and a brother-in-law, Leslie Clark (Hazel).
SURVIVORS:
2 daughters: Linda Clark and Debbie Clark Millett of Louisville
5 grandchildren: George Richard Buckner III (Linda’s son), Mickey Millett, Andrew Millett, Janca Millett, and Tony Distler (Janca’s fiancé)
2 sisters: Regina Goetz (Clarence) and Viola Jenkins (Dennis)
1 brother: Joe Janca (Pat)
Numerous nieces & nephews
Graveside Service: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:00pmET at Brookside Cemetery, Main Street, Campbellsville, KY
Celebration of Life: Sunday, October 5, 2025 on her 102nd birthday from 4:00pm-6:00pmET at Debbie’s house: 13809 Forest Bend Circle, Louisville, KY
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association or Lifehouse Maternity Home.
Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville, KY is in charge of the arrangements.