Clara Angelina Falco Shimek

Clara Angelina Falco Shimek, died on Feb. 17. She was born in Spokane, to Italian immigrant Joseph Falco and his wife, Josephine Falco, and reared in a large family as the third of 11 children in the Spokane Valley where they operated the Falco “fruit stand.”

Graduating in 1945 from West Valley High School, she was then employed in a bank for three years.

Marriage to Jack Shimek in 1948 called for a relocation to the family farm outside of Lind.

Together they spent the next 34 years there raising wheat, cattle and children.

During her time on the farm, Clara most enjoyed her four children’s numerous pursuits, an expansive vegetable garden, church interests, playing bridge, baking pies, and feeding people.

Food was her love language, if people were in the house, they needed to be fed.

While living in Lind, Clara returned to the banking profession until her retirement in 1982 when she and Jack moved to Spokane.

The presence of many of her siblings here, continuing opportunities for service through church and food bank activities, more gardening, and spoiling grandchildren filled her days.

Clara is survived by her husband of almost 69 years, Jack, and four children: John (Marsha) of Honolulu, Hawaii; Jill (Jim) Duvall of Elizabeth, Colorado; Randy of Ritzville; and Robert (Kristey) of Salem, Oregon.

Eleven grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, three sisters, one brother, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial service at the Lind Cemetery will be announced later in the spring.

Gifts in remembrance of Clara may be sent to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur St., Spokane, WA 99202.