February 10, 1933 – August 6, 2021
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Clarence Isaacson on the evening of Friday, August 6, 2021, at the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre.
Clancy, as he was known by all who knew and loved him, was born on February 10, 1933, at Viscount, SK to his father Carl Isaacson and mother Ellen Isaacson. He was the second oldest of seven children, two brothers and five sisters. His older brother Wilbert passed away from pneumonia at the age of one, making Clarence the oldest child of the family. He took this role seriously and was proud to be able to help take care of his siblings throughout their younger years. He left school at the age of 15 to help support the family, working on the farm and at the North American Lumber Yard. He did whatever work he could find, from unloading coal cars for National Grain to working on farms as a helping hand. In 1949 he was given the chance to work on the telephone lines, climbing poles and stringing wire until the Fall of 1956. He worked on several other farms and then in the oilfield doing a variety of jobs. In 1961 he got a job at the Elfros Star Service, painting the service bay. This quickly turned into pumping gas, greasing cars, oil changes, repairing tires and mechanic work. For Clarence, the best part of this job was meeting Shirley, who was working part time at the Star Service Café while attending school. Clarence and Shirley were married on September 7, 1963 in Elfros. They lived in Elfros and over the next years, welcomed three daughters all born in Wadena; Karen (1964), Carmelle (1965) and Della (1969). In 1966 Clarence and Shirley moved to Wadena where Clarence worked in Harry Baylak’s Ford Dealership where he obtained his mechanic’s licence. In 1972, Clarence had two employment opportunities – one in Manitoba, and one in Alberta. He chose to move his family west, to the small town of Claresholm, AB, to work as a mechanic at the new Gulf Service Station. He worked there until 1982, when he moved to Turbo as a co-owner. In 1987, he struck out on his own with Claresholm Muffler. He retired on July 15, 1997.
Outside of work, Clarence was a member of the Wadena Kinsmen. He loved curling and after moving to Claresholm, took up 5 pin bowling on a team with Shirley. He coached minor ball, played a little golf and loved to take the family camping. Clarence was an active member of the Hamar Lodge Sons of Norway in Claresholm, serving as the Social Committee Chair for years. He was a natural musician, playing any stringed instrument without reading music. In his younger years, he loved playing music alongside his uncles, as music was always a part of any family gatherings. Clarence had many talents – a skilled sausage maker; a crafty woodworker; took up painting in his 60’s; composting and gardening; collecting coins; and working on Word Search puzzles. After retiring, Clarence became quite the cook, often surprising everyone with his mixtures and blends of flavouring.
In April of 2017, due to the onset of dementia, Clarence moved into the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre in Claresholm. For the past four years, he enjoyed playing bingo, Happy Hour, and any kind of musical entertainment. He was always happy and chatty with anyone who stopped to visit with him. Clarence’s family would like to send a heartfelt “thank you” to the staff of the North Unit for all of the wonderful care they provided him over the years.
Clarence leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Shirley, his children Karen (Val) Florence, Carmelle (Rob) Steel, and Della (Glen) Larwill; his grandchildren: Mark (Sara), Joshua (Kyla), Jeffrey (Deb), Shelby (Ryan), Evan, Adam, Brayden (Rachel), Camryn and Danica; and great grandchildren: Matthew, Tavis, Alice, Ryker, Cooper, Oliver. He also leaves behind two sisters, Lois Keddie and Sandra Rourke. He was predeceased by his parents Carl and Ellen, his brothers Wilbert and LaVerne, and his sisters Sharon Malinoski and Glenys Zastawny.
A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wandering Willows Fundraising Society, P.O. Box 700, Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca