Obituary of Clifford Munrow Gatzke

Clifford Munrow Gatzke March 24, 1941 – December 27, 2015 Clifford Munrow Gatzke was born on the farm near Belbutte to Elsie & Edward Gatzke on March 24th, 1941. He was the youngest of 5 siblings, Elva, Olga, Evelyn, Vade & Irwin. He went to Stokes School, and then he moved in with Evelyn & Gordon and then was bussed to Spiritwood High School. While with Evelyn & Gordon, he spent many hours working in the Bapaume Store. Cliff went to Kelsey in Saskatoon to get his Carpenter Tradesman papers. He worked for various construction companies, starting out building gas stations. Later on he was hired to make the pool house buildings by Master Pools by Dominion Gunite. He didn’t just do carpentry, he did concrete work too. This company was out of Edmonton and they built pools all over Alberta & BC, as well as parts of Saskatchewan as well in Whitehorse, Yukon. Cliff met up with Kathleen Cooke and they got married August 6th, 1966 in Spiritwood. Alicia arrived on the scene, followed by Heather. Cliff & Kathleen moved back to Spiritwood in 1980. Cliff built the house out at the farm. He bought some land, was going to be a Gentleman grain farmer. There was a rule that some grain & a bale was left for the deer. The troughs were about 12 to 15 feet away from the bedroom window. Videos and pictures were taken, and the deer were his pets. He was supposed to be retired and just do farming, but Cliff’s Contracting was very busy. Cliff was very particular in how the construction job was done. He always believed that a job worth doing was done right. When he wasn’t working, camping, card playing or enjoying his sweets; he was volunteering for the Church, books or renovating or fixing. He was on the School Board from 1985 to 1994. He volunteered with the Wildlife Federation as a director for over 27 years and on the Executive for almost as many years. There were always projects on the go for the club in which Cliff was involved. He was so pleased to be awarded the Gordon Lund Memorial Award winner for 2006, for all his hard work, and received that at the Wildlife Convention in 2007. He also received the Roy Folkerson Citizen of the Year Award as well as helped to start up the Toastmasters Chapter here in Spiritwood. When he wasn’t making shelves or working on some part of the construction at the Bowling Alley, he was bowling for fun, and eventually joined up with teams. Clifford will be lovingly remembered by many for his hard work, dedication and high standards. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Kathleen of 49 years; his daughters Alicia (Ryan) McEwen and Heather Gatzke; his grandchildren, Sarah & Brendan McEwen. Also to cherish his memory, his brothers and sisters; Irwin & Louella Gatzke, Vade Gatzke, Olga & Jack Dixon, Evelyn Turnbull, Elva Heyden. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday the 2nd day of January, 2016 at the Civic Center in Spiritwood, SK. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Family has entrusted arrangements to Lori Saam of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home, Spiritwood, SK The family of the late Clifford Gatzke wish to thank everyone who gave words of comfort, food, cards, e-mails and flowers in our time of sorrow. We also wish to thank the staff of SDHC, for their care and compassion in looking after Clifford. We also wish to thank the staff of Victoria Union Hospital and the Shellbrook Hospital for their care & compassion in looking after Clifford after his fall. Also to the Ambulance Drivers who chauffeured Cliff between the hospitals and in bringing him home. We also wish to thank Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Lori Saam for her help & guidance. We greatly appreciate it. Sincerely, Kathleen, Alicia, Ryan & family and Heather.