Kim Clark Obituary, Death – Kim Clark, 56, a dedicated third-grade teacher at Irving Pertzsch Elementary School in Onalaska, Wisconsin, tragically passed away on Saturday evening, April 25, 2026, following a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver. The crash, which occurred on State Highway 93 near Severson Road in Pleasant Valley Township, Eau Claire County, has left her family, friends, colleagues, and the Onalaska School District community grieving the loss of a beloved educator and role model.
Kim Clark had been a treasured member of the Onalaska School District for nearly 24 years, teaching third grade at Irving Pertzsch Elementary School since 2002. Known for her dedication, compassion, and tireless work ethic, she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues throughout her career, leaving an indelible mark on the school and the community.
Kim Clark’s impact as an educator went far beyond the classroom. She was known for her deep commitment to her students, always striving to create an environment where they could thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Her colleagues describe her as a passionate teacher who had an incredible ability to connect with students, making them feel seen, heard, and supported.
Her nurturing approach to teaching was complemented by her ability to inspire a love of learning in her students. Whether it was through creative lesson plans, individual encouragement, or simply lending a listening ear, Kim helped her students grow in confidence and knowledge. Her dedication to shaping young minds made her a cherished figure at Irving Pertzsch Elementary, where she was not just a teacher, but a mentor and friend to many.
Superintendent Ben Barton shared the following in a letter to the Onalaska School District families: “Ms. Clark has been a dedicated member of our district since 2002, and her impact reached far beyond the walls of Irving Pertzsch as an educator, role model, colleague, and friend. She will be deeply missed by our entire community.”
Kim Clark’s life was tragically cut short when she was a passenger in an SUV that collided head-on with a northbound truck. The crash occurred around 6 p.m. on April 25, 2026, when the truck, driven by 46-year-old Kirk Johnson of Eleva, crossed into the southbound lane while driving under the influence of alcohol. According to authorities, Johnson’s blood alcohol content was 0.207—more than twice the legal limit.
Johnson, who had a history of multiple previous OWI convictions dating back to 2000, was arrested at the scene and charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Court records show that his driver’s license had a restriction requiring him to maintain a 0.02 alcohol level, a restriction he clearly violated. Johnson later admitted to consuming alcohol “in town” but claimed that he had only had one to two beers five to six hours before the crash. Field sobriety tests revealed significant signs of impairment, and a preliminary breath test confirmed his blood alcohol level.
The driver of the SUV, Stephanie Conway, attempted to avoid the collision by swerving but was unable to do so, leading to the tragic head-on crash. Conway survived the accident but sustained facial abrasions. Witnesses at the scene confirmed that Johnson appeared visibly intoxicated, and one witness reported hearing Johnson say he was trying to turn left onto Severson Road, a maneuver that would have been incorrect for a northbound driver, suggesting confusion about his direction of travel.
Kim Clark’s death has sent shockwaves through the Onalaska community. She was not only a beloved teacher but also an active member of the community, known for her kindness, generosity, and love for the students she served. Her passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the profound impact such reckless actions can have on innocent lives.
Kim’s family, friends, and colleagues are now left to navigate their grief as they honor her memory and the legacy she leaves behind. She is survived by her loving family, including her parents, siblings, and other relatives, all of whom will continue to carry her spirit with them. Kim’s students, both past and present, will remember her as a teacher who cared deeply for their well-being and took the time to ensure they felt loved and supported. Her influence on the lives of those she taught will remain long after her passing.
Kim Clark’s legacy is one of love, dedication, and service to others. As a teacher, she made a difference in the lives of countless students, fostering a learning environment where they could grow and succeed. As a colleague, she was a source of support and camaraderie, always willing to lend a hand or offer a kind word. Her ability to build meaningful connections with others, whether in the classroom or in her personal life, is what made her such a treasured member of the Onalaska community.
Her passing leaves a void that will be impossible to fill, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. The Onalaska School District has set up a memorial in her honor, where students and faculty can come together to celebrate the impact Kim had on their lives and to share their memories of the beloved teacher.
As Kim’s family and community mourn her loss, they are also seeking justice for her death. The criminal charges filed against Kirk Johnson serve as an important step toward accountability, but the pain of losing Kim to senseless drunk driving will never be fully alleviated. For those who knew her, Kim’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the need for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
A memorial service for Kim Clark will be held in the coming days, allowing family, friends, colleagues, and students to come together to mourn her passing and honor her memory. The Onalaska School District will be organizing events in her honor, including a memorial scholarship fund that will support future students who wish to pursue careers in education, just as Kim did. Details of the service will be shared with the community once finalized.
In this time of profound sorrow, those who knew Kim Clark are encouraged to remember her as the loving, selfless person she was. Her legacy of kindness and dedication will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. Kim may have been taken from this world far too soon, but the mark she left on the hearts of her students, colleagues, and community will never fade.
May Kim Clark rest in peace, and may her family find comfort in knowing that her memory will live on in the lives of everyone she touched.
