Karnell "Connie" Clouser

Dona Karnell Clouser, lovingly known as Karnie to her family and Connie to her friends, had her fondest prayer answered and was reunited with her beloved husband of almost 70 years. Karnell passed away at her residence, on Monday, 11 March 2013 after an extended illness.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at New Providence United Methodist Church with the Rev. B.J. Brack officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, Hopkinsville, KY. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Chapel and from 9 a.m. until the hour of service Wednesday at the church.
Karnell was born February 11, 1923, in Lynn Grove (Calloway County), KY, to the late John Riley and Dona Mae Ford Hutchens. She was a 1941 graduate of Lynn Grove High School, where she was valedictorian, and briefly attended Murray State University. After being introduced by mutual friends and a whirlwind courtship, she ran off to Charleston, MO to marry a young man from Pennsylvania, Wilbur “Bill” Clair Clouser, on July 7, 1942. Immediately following their marriage, they moved to Detroit where Wilbur worked in the auto factories for a short while prior to joining the Army. With immense pride, she followed her beloved Bill from duty station to duty station, living in Germany on two occasions and a short stint in Iran. Her greatest love, in addition to her beloved Bill, was her family, which always came first and foremost. She was the consummate wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was a true southern lady, who never forgot her country roots. Karnell enjoyed her life’s work as a homemaker although she did work outside the home for three months, as an elevator operator, in the then downtown Parks Belk.
Karnell was very active in the Western Kentucky & Tennessee Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division Auxiliary and enjoyed her Wednesday lunches, at the VFW, with the Rakkasaan crew. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing dominoes, working crossword puzzles, and most especially, babysitting her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill, her parents, sisters, Lucy Smith, Susie Robinson, Nancy Sheeley, and Willodean Walker, brothers, Dahl Miller Hutchens, WC “Dub” Hutchens, and John J. Hutchens.
She is survived by her children; two sons, Tommy (Peggy) Clouser, Randy (Allison) Clouser, both of Clarksville; two daughters, Carol (Dean) Freeman, Wamego, KS, Kristi (James) Skurzewski, Clarksville; eight grandchildren, Leigh (Jay) Harrison, Phillip (Emily) Clouser, Kelly Freeman, Jon (Laura) Clouser, Adam Stefko, Rob Clouser, Hayley Stefko, Brady Miller; as well as five great-grandchildren, Olivia Harrison, Jon Wesley Harrison, Ella Clouser, Veda Clouser and Emory Clair Clouser, as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Pallbearers will be grandsons: Phillip Clouser, Jon Clouser, Rob Clouser, Adam Stefko, Brady Miller, and Brandon Barr.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Aseracare Hospice, great-niece, Danita Walker-Attaway, and weekend caregiver/friend, Thelma Hedrick, for their devotion to Karnell’s care and comfort. Mere words cannot express the depth of our gratitude.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made in her name to: Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 2133, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5670 or Veterans Service Transportation, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, (931)647-3371. Online condolences may be made at NaveFuneralHomes.com.