Norman Alexander Clark

It is with heavy hearts that Norman’s Daughters announces his passing on Monday April 11, 2022, at the age of 93 years. Dad was born on July 22, 1928, on the west half of 27-11-7, the family farm in the Glenwherry District, near Corning Saskatchewan.

He was the sixth child of Jean and Robert Clark. He received his education from Grade 1 to 10 at the Glenwherry School, a 5-minute walk from his home. Dad continued his education at the Windthorst School completing grades 11 and 12 in 1946. Dad furthered his education in Edmonton taking Diesel & Auto Mechanics. He also spent time down east working and going to school before he returned home. Dad’s roots were in the land. Dad and his brother Jim farmed with their dad, Robert, for a number of years. Robert retired and due to Jim’s health, Dad took over the family farm.

Dad married Dorcas Olver in 1955 and they were married for 62 wonderful years. They made their home on the Clark family grain and cattle farm and raised their four daughters.

Over the years Dad was involved with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Corning United Church, Corning School Board, Corning Skating Rink, and the Graytown Cemetery and other community organizations. Mom and Dad were members of the International Agricultural Exchanging Program where Dad shared his knowledge of farming with young farmers from around the world. These young people become members of our family and we keep in touch with many of them.

Farming was a labor of love for Dad. The farm with its beautiful yard was a gathering place for his family and friends and many memories were made there. Dad enjoyed family camping, boating, water skiing, family golf games, travelling and growing beautiful evergreens that graced our home and many other people’s yards. He had a sense of humor and made an impression on all those he met.

Dad was a kind, compassionate man who loved getting and giving good hugs. This hard-working man was dedicated to his family and his community.

Norman is survived by his daughter Debbie Gastonguay and grandson Michel, step-granddaughter Michelle, step-great-grandsons Lane and Noah, step-granddaughter Chantelle (Adam); daughter Hallie (Lindsay) Ogilvie and granddaughter Arlie (Todd), great-granddaughters Sophie and Rylin: grandson Dan (Jennine), great-grandchildren Kiara and Kostyn and grandson Connor (Kayla); daughter Colleen (Ivan) Leibel and granddaughter Jenna (Steven), great-grandsons Benson and Levi; grandson Brad (Jarod) and grandson Brian; daughter Darlene (Wayne) Hoffmann and grandchildren Cody, Hailey and Brady; brothers-in-law Lorne Pearson and Marshall Olver and sister-in-law Flora Olver and many nieces and nephews.

Norman was predeceased by his loving wife Dorcas, his parents Jean and Robert Clark, sisters: Eileen Clark, Donalda Argue, Jean Cantrill, and Joyce Pearson, brothers: James and John Clark, sisters-in-law Eva Clark and Anne Clark, brothers-in-law Grant Argue and Clarence Cantrill; parents-in-law Jesse and Mable Olver, brothers-in-law, Hugh, Ralph and John Olver and sisters-in-law Esther Olver and Lillian Holm.

A public graveside service was held in Graytown Cemetery, Corning District on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 1:00 pm with officiant Lynette Callfas. There was a time of fellowship and lunch in the Corning Hall following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, in memorial honoring Norman’s life, contributions may be made to the Graytown Cemetery, care of RM of Golden West No. 9, Box 70, Corning, Saskatchewan and the girls ask that you plant a tree in Norman’s name.

We would like to share this little poem that Dad had tucked away, it says a lot about the kind of man he was. “To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another, what comes from the heart touches the heart. “

Our Mom requested that this poem be a part of Dad’s funeral.

My Trees Going On Without Me

I birthed them root by root, tree by tree

We have spent our lives entwined, each tree-child an extension of me

My promise of spring renewal knowing if they survived the rigors, the farm and I would too.

My life intrinsically tied to their trunk and sheltering branches

Now my towering evergreens taunt me because I know I must someday leave them in this sacred place and it hurts to think of my tree-children going on without me

Deep rooted they will endure but limbs break, ravaging deer tear their bark skin and tender flesh

who will bind their wounds?

I regret I cannot stay forever on the farm in the shelter of the grove.

Written by Jean F. Fahlman