Lena was the sixth child of Johannes Steinhilber and Johanna Magdelena Roller. She came to the United States as a young child with her mother and older sisters on a ship chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, into which her mother was baptized before they left Germany.

Eventually Mother and daughters settled in Nebraska, where Lena met John Thomas Clark. They were married on 1 January 1893 in Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska. John and Lena had four children (Cora, Bryan, Johnny and Adina) in Nebraska before moving to Montana around 1901, where they had their last three children (Ernest, Rozilla and Lena).

Lena's obituary, from the Gibbon, Nebraska Reporter:

The following is taken from the Hysham (Montana) Echo and pertains to a former Gibbon lady.

Mrs. Lena Steinhilber Clark, wife of John Clark, of Hysham, died at her home in this city, Tuesday evening after an illness lasting about ten days of pneumonia. Mrs. Clark was taken ill about two weeks ago and about the same time her three daughters and one son were also stricken with influenza. The mother gradually grew worse and her case developed into pneumonia which caused her death. Neighbors and friends came to the aid of the stricken family and did all that human hands could do to relieve the suffering. At present the eldest daughter, Adina, is fully recovered and able to care for her two little sisters and brother who are still in bed but improving.

Mrs. Clark was born in Germany, March 20, 1875. On New Year's Day, 1893, she was united in marriage to John Clark at Kearney, Nebraska. They resided for a time in Thedford, Nebraska, and in May, 1905, moved to Forsyth. Five years ago, they moved to this city where Mr. Clark conducts a livery barn. She was a conscientious member and faithful worker of the Community church of this city, an officer and enthusiastic member of the order of Royal Neighbors and a woman of many fine qualities. She was of a bright, lively disposition, a loving wife and mother and her loss will be keenly felt by the entire community.

Surviving the deceased are the husband, four daughters, Mrs. Aaron Johnson of Pease Bottom; Adina, Rosie and Lena and one son Ernest, at home. One son Bryan, was drowned at Sanders, and a son, John, died while the family resided at Forsyth. The interment took place at Forsyth Thursday. The deceased is a daughter of Mrs. Paul Litterman and a sister of Mrs. Henry Stearley, both of this community. Deceased also leaves three sisters and three brothers: Mrs. J. Stearley of Kimball, Nebr.; Mrs. George Fester of Alberta, Canada; Mrs. H. Trotier of Westfalin, Germany; Adam of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Ernest of Dolgeville, N.Y. and Frederick of Jackson, Michigan."