Clarence Klemm

KLEMM, Clarence Edward On June 25, 2010 at the age of 95, Clarence Edward Klemm closed his eyes and peacefully left behind the pain of an illness for which there is no cure and the legacy of a life lived with laughter, compassion, encouragement, wisdom and love. Born on December 28, 1914 in Listowell, Ontario to Elizabeth and Charles Klemm, his family moved west in the early 1920's, eventually settling on land south of Indian Head, SK. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1940 and was called up for duty in 1941. As a wireless instructor, he was stationed on bases in Calgary, Montreal and in Moose Jaw, where he met and married Hazel Rigden, the first love of his life. After his discharge in 1945 his life embodied the qualities of what we today refer to as an ""entrepreneur"". On a half section of land, he grew grain and hay, raised hogs, ran a herd of cattle and did custom spraying/trucking. In 1960 he foresaw the potential in the tourism industry and designed, built and opened Motel 61 on the Trans Canada Highway at Indian Head. Predeceased in 1962 by his first wife, he continued running the motel until 1969, when he sold it and eventually bought property in High River where he lived until 2005. Before moving west, he was blessed to find love once again and shared over forty years with his devoted second wife, Bernice. Clarence was predeceased by his parents, as well as his brothers Harry (Mary) Klemm and Charles (Pat) Klemm and his sisters Ruth (Malcolm) Keeble and Doris (Ernie) Geres. He is survived by his wife Bernice (Medicine Hat), his daughter Betty Ann Hynes (Calgary) and her family, Cindy (Dwayne) Ross (Dugald, MB), Dawn (Jonathan) Banyard and Holly Christine Busch all of Calgary as well as his son Arthur (Pat) Klemm (Shirley) Revelstoke, BC, and son Michael (Airdrie, AB), stepsons Reg (Linda) Jackson, Barry (Marilyn) Jackson, stepdaughter Lorraine (Ken) Kainz and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, twin great-great-granddaughters, nieces, nephews and countless friends! He loved travel, Sunday drives, reading, gardening, carpentry, ""puttering around"" and people, but most of all he loved his family and his friends. His ""half circle"" house in High River still stands but the ""pyramid"" greenhouse where he grew his amazing tomatoes is gone. We were never sure if the tomatoes grew because of the pyramid shape or because he tended them as he did life - with daily care and consideration. His well manicured lawn and flowers were enjoyed by many and it is our belief that God now has a gardener!! Thank you to the staff at Vulcan Extendicare for loving him and caring for him as they did, to Norma Lewis for spending time with him, to Wayne and Shirley Ward for being such good friends, and to everyone who enjoyed his humor and gentle manner and recognized not only what an amazing man he was in life but will forever continue to be!! A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the SNODGRASS FUNERAL HOME in High River with interment in the Highwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society or the Canadian Legion Poppy Fund. To email condolences please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements in care of SNODGRASS FUNERAL HOMES (High River). Telephone: 403-652-2222.