Obituary of Donald Clarke

Donald Edward Clarke of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan passed away at the Jubilee Home in Lloydminster on November 19, 2004 at the age of 83 years. Don is survived by his children: Jim (Linda) Clarke of Paradise Hill; Donna of Bonnyville, Alberta and Ken of the North Bend District; his grandchildren: Erin Prefontaine of Calgary, Clarke Prefontaine of Calgary, Craig (Tara) Prefontaine of Edmonton, Raina (Blue) Bennefield of Victoria, BC, Jeff Clarke of Saskatoon and Devin Clarke of Saskatoon; his sister Thelma (Steve) Oslanski of Wainwright, his brothers Malcolm (Alice) Clarke of Westlock, Alberta and Ivor Clarke of Valleyview, Alberta. Don was predeceased by his wife Jean, his parents Alfred and Rosina (Wagner) Clarke, sisters Marion, Adelaide and Sadie, brothers Jack and Ken. Donald Edward Clarke was born February 10, 1921 to Alfred and Rosina Clarke in Lloydminster. Don grew up on the family farm about a mile and half east of Alcurve on the same 1/4 where the Black Rock School was located. When Don was seven years old his mother passed away from cancer. Don completed grade 10 at Black Rock School and then started working for farmers in the area. Don joined the army in 1940 and took his training in Saskatoon, Borden, Ontario and North Bay, Ontario. In 1942 Don was sent overseas to England. Don returned from overseas in 1945 and stayed with his sister Ada and her family in London, Ontario where he worked as a carpenter. He then moved to Edmonton and continued working as a carpenter. In 1948 he married Jean Dawson and they moved to Frenchman Butte where he operated a service station for two years. He then worked as a mechanic for W.H. Chapman and then as a grain buyer for the National Grain Company. In 1964 with the closing of the railroad on the horizon, Don accepted a position as wheel alignment specialist with Civic Tire in Lloydminster. Don and his family lived for two years on a rented acreage in the Greenwood District and then purchased a home on 40 acres three miles west of Blackfoot, AB. Don and Jean resided there until 1996 when they moved into Lloydminster. Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1997. His wife Jean passed away in July of this year. Don resided in the Jubilee Home until his passing. Card of Thanks The Clarke family would like to thank the following: the staff at Jubilee Home and We Care for the comfort and care they provided Don, the Frenchman Butte and Lloydminster Legions for the Honor Guard and ceremony, Musicians Leonard Hardes, Raymond Maier and Joe Maier, soloist Marlene Risling, organist Pat Skinner and trumpeter Debbie Weir. Also all those who attended Don’s funeral, sent cards, flowers and offered donations in Don’s name and to McCaw Funeral Home for administering the funeral arrangements. Donations may be made to The Alzheimers Society or Charity of Donors Choice.