Randy B. Clark, of Monroe, Iowa, departed May 11, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital surrounded by his family. Our world suffered a great loss when Randy succumbed to the consequences of an unexpected heart condition. He was born on July 20, 1955, to Seth Blake and Faye Rene (Modlin) Clark and was raised on the family farm near Dunreath. Randy graduated from Monroe High School in 1973. He married Lynn Korte on October 26, 1974, and together they raised four children: Travis John, Jennifer Lynn, Jacob Seth, and James Travis. Although their marriage eventually ended, Randy later found companionship again and married Judy Pudenz on July 17, 2004. He was the best Monroe had to offer as a long-time employee of Vermeer Corporation, a prized community leader, and a devoted family member.

He will always be "a beloved friend," whether you had the pleasure of knowing him or not, Randy never met a stranger and was at his happiest when he had the opportunity to shoot the breeze with someone…anyone… and bring a smile to their face while he chatted on and on. How could he connect so easily with so many people? Perhaps it was because Randy had a way of living his core values of family-community through seemingly ordinary acts. Whether that was by wearing fun costumes to his weekly infusion appointments to bring a little joy and laughter or his dedication to yearly reunions to offer his large family a place to roost and reconnect on a regular basis—or maybe it was just the way he had of subtly extending a conversation from a few minutes to a few hours by sharing just enough to make you think you would be able to stumble onto his prized mushrooming spot or into his favorite fishing haunt (but let's be clear—not even his sons could get him to reveal where he found all the best morels!). In fact, being outdoors AND having a chance to hang out with friends was something Randy always looked forward to most, especially the annual deer hunt he shared with his long-time hunting buddies.

Randy worked hard as he led his family as the oldest son of the Clark family farming legacy and self-elected storyteller extraordinaire in ways that will help us all continue to pass down prized memories for generations to come. Randy spent his life building and maintaining the Clark family farm and encouraging the next generation to care as deeply about the value of legacy as he did. There are many in our community who understand the level of sacrifice needed to keep a farm going—in good times and bad— and the level of effort it takes to put the family farm first, always. But Randy was one of those people who not only understood this; he committed to it. He saw the long game, and he held on no matter what. Whether it was working from dawn to dusk alongside his dad or choring in the dark after finishing an already long day at his OTHER full-time job or even just spending hours out on the mower maintaining the grounds, nothing meant more to Randy than living up to the hard-working expectations that generations of Clarks have relied on decade after decade. To know Randy is to know how proud he was of passing on this work ethic to his children and grandchildren—and how thrilled he was to know that another generation of Clarks will enjoy the farm through the continued efforts of his oldest son, Jacob.

Whether you knew him personally or not, Randy was indeed a "beloved friend" to all, a man who lived by example and prioritized the value of family and community in ways that are at once familiar and yet becoming more and more rare: A devoted husband who made valiant efforts to tackle every item on Judy's honey-do lists just to put a smile on her face; a father, grandfather, and uncle who showed up to as many school events as possible; a neighbor who would spend extra time and energy on a garden to get as much as he could from the soil to share with others; a devoted pet-dad and animal lover who not only cared deeply for the pups in his home but who recognized the long-lasting impact of good stewardship on his land; an uncle who would go out of his way to make space and time for visiting family from out-of-state, no matter how short of notice he was given; a brother who listened and valued true companionship in his relationships with his siblings, especially his sister, Candy; a father who loved his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren so fiercely and with such devotion that you could say, without the slightest hesitation, that the best description of Randy Clark was that he was, first and foremost, a family man.

His one-of-a-kind way of wanting people to feel seen and appreciated helped him create memorable connections with every single person he encountered. Even if you never before had an interest in lawn mower racing or competitive horseshoes, you would be just a little more curious and a little more content to have "insider knowledge" after one of Randy's stories. Sure, he might get a little stubborn in a conversation over the best size for a garden or how useful it really is to keep every nut and bolt ever found in a jar…or a few coffee cans…or a couple of dozen buckets in the shed. But his stubborn …eclectic-ness (?) is what made him so loveable: The way he would doggedly chase down a good deal even if he spent more money on gas to GET the deal than it was worth. Or his dedication to proving everyone wrong by purchasing just one more machine that he was SURE he could get tuned up and working again.

Randy will be deeply missed by his surviving relatives. Those who remain in this life yet treasure him most include his wife, Judy Pudenz (Clark); his three children, Jennifer Thompson (Mike Williams), Jacob (Angie) Clark, James (Stephanie) Clark; and his grandchildren, Hannah Thompson, Kaden and Kolby Clark, Piper and Emily Clark; his stepchildren, Ken (Elizabeth) Lingren, Bill (Connie) Flink, Theresa (Dan) Tiefenthaler, Michelle (Pat) Soyer, Devin (Mimi) Pudenz, Jennifer Kocour (Daniel Collaguazo), Joe (Jenny) Pudenz; and grandchildren Amy (Clay) Cone, Katie Lingren, Nicole (Eric) Beshey, Travis (Vicki) Flink, Casi Wetzel, Ryan (Tarin) Tiefenthaler, Laura (Cody) Sigmon, Sarah (Jeff) Riesberg, Austen (Katelynn) Tiefenthaler, Nick (Rachel) Soyer, Emily (Matt) McKillip, Maddie Soyer, Brittan, Claire and Owen Pudenz, Telan Paulson, Quintan and Lincoln Kocour, Mike Collaguazo, Taylor (Jonathan) Liakos, Hayden and Sydney Pudenz; as well as 24 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters, Candy (Terry) Amyx, Cindy (Vince) Vincentz and Julie Clark. He will also be deeply missed by his many nieces, nephews, and cousins and by his surviving aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his son, Travis; his parents Seth and Faye Clark; and his brothers, Park and Wayland Clark.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to MercyOne Des Moines Cancer and Infusion Care - Newton for their kindness, support, and care over the years.

Randy's family will greet friends for visitation on Monday, May 18, 2026 from 5-8 PM at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City. A memorial service will be held the following day at the church at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served afterwards and all are welcome to attend. Memorials in Randy's name may be made out to the PCM Athletic Boosters, the PCM Fine Arts Boosters, or the Pleasant Hill Country Church. If you're unable to attend, memorials may be mailed to Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054.