Cliff was born in Midale August 17 1920, the only boy of William and Josie Janke and brother to Mabel, Grace and Ella. He grew up on the farm in a small two room house, one mile East of Lake Alma and took his schooling at Birds Hill School. Like most kids of that era formal education was cut short to help out on the farm and with his own father taking ill, he was no exception. Life itself consisted of hard work and simple survival both of which he excelled at, living into his 97th year. In 1941 he married Hilma Eliasson, and for 63 years with her being totally fearless and he being the ever fearful and cautious, they managed to make it work. They lived on the family farm until 1945 and during that time their first son Garry was born. They moved to Weyburn for the winter of 1945/46 seeking a better life and more opportunity. That better life consisted of a variety of jobs, all associated with hard work. Everything from handsaw cutting blocks of river ice in the winter for the City to processing at the poultry plant are just a couple of examples of the employment of the day. They returned to the farm in the Spring of 46. In June 1947 they returned to Weyburn and two years later second son Allan was born. This time he was committed. The farm was rented to the neighbor and “Jiggs“ as he became known got a job at the City Power House shoveling coal. An arduous task by any measure when you consider box cars full of coal were spotted next to the facility and on a ramp, with a wheelbarrow and a scoop shovel, the cars were emptied . If that wasn’t enough, he also washed floors and cleaned offices at different businesses at night for extra money to help his family make ends meet and provide a better life. Wanting to do better, he was able to advance and acquire his boiler operator papers a position he held until 1960 when SPC took over the supply of power for the City, and the power house was closed . Following that takeover, he spent three years at Boundary Dam and 20 years at Trades Training Center at North Weyburn rounding out his career, retiring in 1983 …… just in time to go back farming full time, once again! Not realizing he was getting older, he was still putting Christmas lights on the roof of his house at age 86. Following the sale of his home, he lived alone in his own condo for a few year, then with his friend and caregiver Elaine before moving into a nursing home in 2013. He loved to tease, and one should be prepared and not faint of heart as he had an arsenal of one line barbs he would use to stimulate conversation. His non work interests were few but included wood working, bowling, music and old time dance parties, but his first recreational passion was hunting. What was originally an opportunity for food, deer hunting, evolved into a family activity involving kids, grandkids and whomever wanted to come along. A keen eye and a crack shot in his early days gave way to creating a calm yet exciting hunting experience for the grandkids with the highlight always being “lunch” which resembled more of a Christmas dinner than lunch. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandkids. They meant the absolute world to him and they all loved him creating many memories for all to cherish.
Cliff was predeceased by his wife, Hilma in 2005, sisters, Grace Hammer, Mabel Mattson, Ella Edwards and infant grandson Richard Janke.
Survived and lovingly remembered by his son, Garry (Donna) and their children Darren (Leeane), Brent (Fern) and Tara (Ryan); son, Al (Sheila ) and their children Ryan (Kristie) and his namesake great grandson Jordan Joseph Janke, Breanne (Gary) and great granddaughters, Maci, Lexi, Myla and Emry Patterson, as well as several nephews and nieces.
Cliff came a long way from meager and humble beginnings and remained proud, never forgetting his past. His father drove a team and wagon from Wisconsin, turned the wagon over and lived underneath it to start his life, and Dad started life in a two room tar paper house. It is not much wonder his direction growing up was “get your work done, you can play later.” His work is now done. We would like to thank those that were his friends and those that made the effort to visit, especially Ellaine and her family who made regular stops. Thanks to Arlene for her special care and for keeping us informed of his ups and downs during his tenure in the nursing home.
The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. from Weyburn Free Methodist Church with Pastor Jody Pfeifer officiating. Lunch and Fellowship to follow the service. A Private Family Interment will take place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Donations in memory of Cliff may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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