Henry Clarence Isaacson
August 6th, 2021
ISAACSON, Henry Clarence
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, and 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:
We were saddened to hear of Clarences passing .. Sending our heartfelt ❤️sympathies to Shirley and family ..What wonderful memories we have of the time we lived in Claresholm.. actually in Apartment above Clarence and Family .. those were special years because of Clarence and Shirley with caring kind ways, friendship, food, music, and our 66 Pontiac with white bucket seats and that approved loan of 800.00 . We still treasure the visit when Clarence Shirley came to NS . Will be remembered forever .❤️. sending our love and hugs to all Bill and Trudy Lake , Avondale NS
Carmelle and family so sorry for the loss of your Dad, I remember him well while visiting Mom at Willow Creek. Hugs
Our condolences to you and your family Shirley. This fun loving guy will be missed by all.
My sincere sympathies to all the family. I have a special memory of Clancy playing the mandolin one Christmas Eve when we (dad - Ashley, me and Clara) stopped in. He was such a kind man and full of fun.
I am so sorry for your loss, Sending love and hugs to everyone ❤️
Shirley and family. So sorry to hear about the big loss to your family. Clarence was always there when we were young and probably brats in Elfros. He was such a kind, gentle person, loved by all that knew him. Our thoughts are with you! .
Sincere condolences to Shirley and Family.Clancy was my first mechanic with my first car so many years ago.He so kind and so funny.
My condolences to all of you you are in my thoughts and prayers. Clarence always put a smile on my face when caring for him. We are all going to miss him
Our sincere condolences. I worked part time with Clarence in Elfros when I was a teenager, and enjoyed the fun times listening to the jam sessions at Carl & Ellen’s.
Our condolences to Shirley and families.
Sincere condolences to the entire family. Always looked forward to visiting with Clancy--he was such a positive person and a positive force in our community. You have so many beautiful memories to sustain you. Dianne Yarmoloy
Our Heartfelt Sympathy to your Family
I am so sorry for your great loss. Clancy was the kindest sweetest man ever and he will be remembered with warm hearts. Deepest Sympathy ❤️
What a loving Eulegy. As a cousin, I enjoyed him and the stories of music and working with my dad Elmer Fredsberg. May they make music in Heaven
We are sending our deepest condolences to Shirley and family❤️❤️❤️❤️
My deepest condolences for the whole family! For a short time working with Him in the North I will always remember him as a nice man; a man with a good heart.❤️. It broke my heart but no more pain for him. Sorry for your loss guys. He may rest in peace.
Our sincere sympathy to the Isaacson family with Clarence’s passing. I’m originally from Elfros and remember Clarence working at the corner service station. He was a very nice person ~ and got along real well with all of our family (including my Dad ~ who was Steini Gudmundson). May your memories bring you comfort. Condolences from Ernie Gudmundson
So sorry to hear of his passing. Thinking of you and the family, Shirley.
Our sincere condolences Shirley, Karen, Carmelle, Della and families We think of you all often and appreciated your visits to the farm. I am sure you will have many good memories of Clarence that will bring laughter and tears!!!
I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. It is always sad when they have to leave us.
Deepest Condolences to Aunt Shirley and family on the passing of Uncle Clarence. I have the fondest of memories of my first fishing trips at Barrier Lake with Clarence , my Grandpa Carl , my dad and other uncles. Clancy was always one of the largest personalities at our many family summer gatherings at Elfros where everyone came from both east and west to spend time together. Lots of Love and Laughter every summer. Cousin Scott
Clancy will be missed by all our staff, despite of the dementia he was a real gentleman. We care for him and we loved every minutes of it. All my sympathies to all the family, he was loved and he will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Our sincere condolences to Shirley & Family! He will be missed by all who knew this kind man.
My heartfelt condolences goes out to Clancy’s family. I will miss his chatty sessions with me when I was cleaning his room. He always had a smile on his face and will be missed by all. Thoughts and prayers being sent to all his family and friends ♥️
I remember Clancy and all the Isaacson family with great fondness. Mrs. Isaacson was kind enough to take my sister Shirley and I in while my Mom (Margaret Baker née Nelson) was in hospital with terminal cancer. We lived with them as part of the family as young children. Clancy came by his wonderful personality quite honestly as his Mom had a “Heart of Gold”. Thinking of all of his family with sympathy.