Obituary of Donald Clark

Donald Clifford Lyle Clark Born July 26, 1936 to Bill and May Clark of Lone Rock Sk. Uncle Donald was the the sixth of seven brothers and the 18th of 21 children. Donald took his schooling in Lone Rock, worked on the farm and in the oil industry until he retired in 1991. In about 1959 he met Alice Howe at the Royal Cafe in Lloydminster, and she was so impressed at how he could eat butter. It became love at first sight for both of them. By the way I believe Aunt Alice asked Uncle Donald on a date first, for her graduation. Aunty was telling us how they use to exchange traveling on the weekends from Edmonton to here. That worked well until they got dates mixed up and they both went and so no one was home. No cellphones back then. In 1961 Uncle Donald bought Grandpa's farm and married the love of his life Alice Howe. They raised four boys; Richard, Nick, Bill and Donald. Bill married Mary and has Jennifer, Mark, and Patricia. Donald married Evelyn and has Gordon, Kyle (Rose), and Rebbeka. Growing up in a family of 21, to most of us would feel like a huge challenge, but to Uncle Donald it was a privilege. He always liked to have family and friends around him, it brought out that smile. The Clark family reunions were huge and a lot of fun. But with growing families and spread out more these no longer worked. It was then Uncle Donald and Aunty Alice opened their place up for 10 years for the rest of us to enjoy a family day together on July 1st weekend. Thank you Aunty Alice for always making us feel we where at home. Then and any other time we would just stop in. If you ever stopped to visit Uncle Donald you could be sure you would get a tour of his amazing garden, you would get to try snowball turnips, peas, and carrots. In the fall you would take home a bag of potatoes. Uncle Donald has about eight different apple tree's that on a good year just one could just about meet the family needs for apples. Again he shared!!! Jennifer remembered walking with Grandpa on the farm and talking about her dad, Bill's 4H calf named Shirley that had a black calf she named midnight. Patricia remembers all of the cats her grandpa loved. On the farm sometimes they would get hurt and even die. Grandpa would always show his love and care through those times. The grandchildren knew they were close to grandpa and grandma's farm when they got to the spot of the hard hats on the posts just east of of the plant. They used to see about 80 hats when they were younger, but due to time there are around 30ish left. Uncle Donald throughout his life enjoyed a number of different activities; curling, ball, fishing and horse shoes. But one of his favorites was playing cards. He was hard to beat, but Bill said you knew when he was loosing. Aunt Helen was telling me of when they all went to the lake together and how Uncle Donald would bake potatoes the night before so he could have some fried ones for breakfast. That night before she went to their cabin she took the potatoes out of the tin foil and and put coals in exchange and went home. It was priceless to see the look on Donald's face. "There burned" he said when he opened them. This family laughed lots. Talking with my aunts and family you start to see the picture of what all of the work it took to look after such a large family like this, just getting water from the spring in the coulee with ten gallon crocks for washing. Going to the coulee with horses and the stone boat and today there is still a place where you can find bits of broken crock, from one falling off the stone boat and hitting a rock. Uncle donald was also handy in the kitchen. When Aunt Alice was working with Bill he even learned to make Lefsa(Norwegian bread). One time he thought he'd improve it by experimenting by adding ground onions. He loved turnips at all special holiday meals. His favorite dessert was chocolate pie and whipped cream. The last weeks he spent at home, although he was very sick, it was good to see that God allowed the time for Uncle Donald to have so many neighbors, family, and friends stop by to wish him well. Aunt Alice and family count yourselves very rich in every way to have had such a great man in your lives for the time you did. I believe Uncle Donald knows you will miss him dearly but would want you to move forward in each of your lives and go for your dreams and to continue to love and support each other. Life passes by quickly and today is a part of that, but remember that God himself has supplied the eternity that we can live together in forever, that is the hope and promise of our faith. Aunt Alice and family, Uncle Donald's life is one to celebrate and as time helps you deal with the pain of your loss my prayer is that you will always remember this special man and the way he was with a smile on your face. Eulogy written by Harvey Hartel The family would like to then Dr. Kerlis, Dr. Chapelski, the nurses and staff of the Lloydminster Hospital, and the ambulance attendants. Special thanks to Pastor Lyle, and Laura for their compassion, understanding and prayers. Special thanks to cousin Irene Knowlson, the organist. Thank you to the LGF band for their beautiful music. Thank you Harvey, for the time and thought you put into the eulogy, it was greatly appreciated. Thank you to the LGF ladies for the lovely lunch. Thank you to everyone who visited Don at the Lloydminster and Saskatoon Hospitals. Thank you to all who sent cards, flowers, and donations; and those who brought food to our homes. Thank you for the phone calls and visits. Your support will not be forgotten. Special Thank you to Glenn McCaw and staff for their compassion and care. Alice Richard Nick Bill & Mary Jennifer, Mark, Patricia Don & Evelyn Gordon, Kyle, Rose, Rebbeka Donations in memory of Donald may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of the donors choice.