Rosina Lucille Clarkson

Rosina Lucille Clarkson, age 79, of Savanna, IL, passed away July 23, 2024 at Genesis East Medical Center, in Davenport, IA. A private interment will take place on a later date at St. Peter’s (Mosquito Hill) Cemetery, in rural Savanna.

Rosina was born February 5, 1945 in Savanna, IL, the daughter of Elmer and Pauline (Lahre) Wurster. Her father passed when she was just a girl, but she was blessed with a loving stepfather, Paul Rice, who helped raise her. She attended Savanna schools through the eighth grade before going to work on the family farm. She soon added a job, working alongside her mother at a restaurant on the grounds of the Savanna Army Depot. She also worked at a restaurant on 4th Street, in Savanna, in her late teenage years. It was there where she had her first encounter with the man she would marry. Allen Clarkson strolled into the restaurant, and it wasn’t long before he was proclaiming to his friends, “that’s the girl I’m going to marry.”

On October 17, 1964, Rosina and Allen were married at St. Peter’s Evangelical Church, in Savanna. The young couple moved out to California for a short spell, before returning to Savanna and making it their permanent home. With two young children in the home, Rosina proudly played the role of homemaker until the children grew older, when she was hired by Eaton Corp. in Savanna. She spent several years with Eaton Corp., then worked for the VFW, Charlie’s Country Lounge, and provided elderly assistance and care, respectively.

Rosina was a loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed many wonderful years by her dear husband’s side. They loved playing poker with their friends, and regularly competed alongside each other in pool leagues and tournaments. Rosina and her women’s pool team even competed in national tournaments, travelling to Las Vegas tournaments on four occasions.

Rosina was a kind soul who will be dearly missed by her son, Allen Clarkson, Jr., of Bowling Green, KY; daughter, Rhonda Clarkson, of Savanna; two grandchildren, Allen Clarkson III and Devin (Lexis) Clarkson, both of Bowling Green, KY; two great-grandchildren, Ezra and Cairo Clarkson; brother, Paul Wurster, Sr.; sister, Rebecca Lachowolski; and several nieces and nephews. Rosina is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Pauline; stepfather, Paul Rice; brothers, Elmer Wurster, Jr. and Wayne Wurster; sister, Alice Clements; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Verna Clarkson.