Clark Lynn Quiring
August 21, 1953 ~ December 10, 2019
Clark L. Quiring, 66, Sioux Falls, attained his Heavenly home on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.
Memorial Services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at Central Church, (3102 W. Ralph Rogers Rd) in Sioux Falls, with visitation beginning 12:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial for Clark has been established to support Law Enforcement.
Clark Lynn Quiring was born on August 21, 1953, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, to Donald and Louise Quiring. His family moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where he enjoyed his childhood years growing up in a small town, hunting, fishing, and working on mechanical projects with his friends. He played football and wrestled for Blue Earth High School, from which he graduated in 1972.
He went on to college, from where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree. At college, he met and married his best friend, Sarah Payne. For their first adventure as a married couple, they packed up what little they had in the back of their truck and drove up the Old ALCAN, where they settled into a little house on the hill in Homer, Alaska, that came with a million dollar view of Katchemak Bay. It was there that they welcomed their daughter Heidi into the world.
After teaching in Alaska for one year, they moved to Sioux Falls, where Clark’s career in law enforcement began. Not long after moving to Sioux Falls, Clark and Sarah welcomed their second daughter, Heather, into the family.
Clark’s law enforcement achievements were many, moving through each rank until he was named Chief of the Sioux Falls Police Department in 1997. He led the Sioux Falls Police Department SWAT Team, started up the K-9 Unit, Honor Guard, and Chaplaincy Program. He was privileged to be involved with the design and construction of the new Law Enforcement Center. After retiring from the Sioux Falls Police Department in 2004, Clark and Sarah moved to Forest Lake, Minnesota, where Clark was the Director of Public Safety of the Forest Lake Police Department for eight years.
In his free time, Clark kept busy with mechanical projects ranging from rebuilding a Willys Jeep, to a 1936 Ford, plenty of hunting, perhaps not enough fishing, mountain backpacking treks, and skiing trips, along with riding his motorcycle all the way to Alaska. What mattered to him most was being on the sidelines, cheering on his girls in their cross country meets, band competitions, parades, and ball games. Walking each girl down the aisle brought him such joy as he welcomed two “sons,” Bryan and Jarrod, into the family. Then came his four grandchildren—first Nathan, then Luke, followed by Nolan, and, not long after, Evelyn. Now we’re talking adventure!
Throughout these adventures, and in the midst of Clark’s two-year illness, his quiet and thoughtful character, unselfishness and steadfastness are testimony to the Christian man he strove to be.
Clark will be deeply missed by his wife and best friend of 44 years, Sarah; two daughters, Heidi (Bryan) Anderson, Rochester, MN, and Heather (Jarrod) Smart, Valley Springs, SD; four grandchildren Nathan, Nolan, Luke and Evelyn; mother, Louise Quiring, Windom, MN; two brothers, Randy (Paulette) Quiring, Prior Lake, MN, and Todd (Kathi) Quiring, Westbrook, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Clark was preceded in death by his brother, Dana Quiring, and his father, Donald Quiring,
Dear Sarah,
My heart is aching for you and your girls and their families. I was so sorry to read of the passing of your dear Clark. Please accept my deepest sympathies, and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Maggie Phalen
I really did enjoy working with Clark at the MCSO. Rest in peace good buddy.
We send our prayers and wish you comfort in this sorrowful time. Clark was a wonderful person and his spirit lives on through his family and friends. Our deepest condolences for your loss.
I am so very sorry to hear this. I worked in Police Records when Clark was Chief of Police.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. May your memories last a lifetime.
Dear family, you were so lucky to have such a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. I worked with Clark at the City of Sioux Falls. My husband also worked with Clark. They both loved to talk cars.
Peace be with you
We were very sad to hear the news about Clark. We both have so many wonderful memories of Clark and the Quiring family. God Bless and watch over you during this difficult time.
Sarah, Heidi, Heather, grandchildren, Loise, Randy and Todd,
So sorry to learn of Clark’s passing. Since he and Sarah left Forezt Lake we lost touch with each other. I will cherish the memories I shared with my BEST FRIEND from Blue Earth. Knowing Clark, the Good Lord made a place for Clark at Heaven’s head table. Eternal peace dear friend.
I was a classmate of Clark’s at Blue Earth Public High School. When I think of Clark, I think of “integrity”. He always had that, even as a young boy. I wish I could have known him better; it sounds like our families would have shared many interests. Sarah, Heidi, and Heather, my heart goes out to you. An extended illness like this takes time for the caregivers to recover from…. I lend you my strength through prayer. May the memories you have sustain you.
Ann (Rosenau) Scarborough
Sandy, Utah
I, too, was a classmate of Clark’s in the BEHS Class of 1972. Personally and as a Class we send our condolences and would like to contribute to the memorial supporting Law Enforcement in his memory. As our Class treasurer, I would ask that you email me privately to give me information on how and where to donate. He will be remembered at our future class reunions by all. You have my deepest sympathy.