Kelly Jo Everhart's Obituary
Kelly J. Everhart of Camanche, passed away, Thursday, December 5, 2024, two days after her 57th birthday at her home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 11th at the Snell-Zornig Funeral Home in Camanche from 2-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 12th at the Camanche Immanuel Lutheran Church at 10:30 with a luncheon to follow. A private burial will be held at a later date.
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Kelly Jo Bark was born on December 3, 1967 in Clinton IA., the daughter of James and Geraldine (Edens) Bark. Growing up in Camanche, Kelly was the youngest of five children. She would often tag along with them whether it be around the neighborhood, to the gym or softball fields, or going to the drive-in on a Saturday night. In school Kelly was always smiling and her bubbly personality made everyone her friend. Kelly always put others first and she would work tirelessly to help you see the best in yourself and would help you to achieve anything you put your mind to. Kelly started babysitting at the age of twelve for her nephews and nieces and from that point on Kelly was always surrounded by children. People might also remember her as a lifeguard at the Camanche Pool.
Kelly participated in many sports and committees in high school. She was also a proud cheerleader and supporter of all things Camanche. In high school her classmates gave her the honor of voting her prom queen and homecoming queen, which she always cherished. Kelly graduated from Camanche High School in 1986.
After high school, Kelly attended Clinton Community College for one year and was a member of the Cougar volleyball team. She then transferred to the University of Northern Iowa to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Kelly graduated from UNI in 1991 with her teaching degree, the first member of her family to graduate from college. While in college she began dating Jesse (Jeff) Everhart IV. the love of her life. Jeff and Kelly were married in Clinton, Iowa on July 6, 1991. Kelly and Jeff had a special relationship, with lots of laughter and love. They were each other's best friend and made each other laugh even through the tough times. You couldn’t help but smile watching the two of them together. Kelly always thought Jeff was the funniest person alive and her rock.
In the early years of their marriage, Jeff and Kelly moved several times with Jeff’s job, taking up residence in Chicago IL., Aurora IL., Fargo, ND, and Beaver Dam, WI. When the kids were younger Kelly worked at the local YMCA’s as a director of daycare. In 2007, Jeff’s job brought them back home where they settled in and raised their three children, Ali, Brittney, and Jesse V.
Kelly was helping her sister, Karlee, put up bulletin boards one day when Phil Cochran, the Camanche Middle School principal, found out she had her teaching degree. Phil talked Kelly into subbing that fall and eventually getting back into teaching, filling a spot in the special education department. Kelly accepted a job at the middle school and happily went back to college and earned her special education endorsement joining the Camanche Community School District from 2007 until retiring in 2023. Kelly was a beloved teacher by all. A highlight of her teaching career was serving as the high school student council advisor and starting the homecoming tradition of the party in the park after the homecoming parade and bringing back the homecoming bonfire. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and active in Camanche’s Party in the Park, Camanche’s Hometown Pride, and The Camanche Dance Studio.
She loved spending time with her family, especially vacationing to places with a beach and water. Special times were spent in her backyard pool with her kids and grandkids. She also loved her home and had an eye for design. Summers spent in Clear Lake, Iowa with her sister, Karlee, was another of her favorite places. Clear Lake was their Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls) where they got many of their ideas for the Camanche Party in the Park.
Kelly is survived by her husband: Jeff of DeWitt; her daughter: Alexandria of DeWitt, Jesse V of Clinton; four grandchildren: Lilly, Benjamin, Alexander, and Lucy; her mother: Geraldine Bark of Camanche; two brothers: Daniel (Dona) Bark of Cordova, Illinois, Steve (Tonia) Bark of Camanche, two sisters: Kristi Naftzger of Clinton, and Karlee (Gary) Low of Camanche; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Jesse and Elaine Everhart of Camanche; her sister-in-law: Tammy Dunham of Borger, Texas and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, a daughter: Brittney, and a granddaughter: Scarlet.
Kelly asked that people wear their most colorful clothing for the visitation and funeral.
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