Calvin "Keith" Clothier

The family of Calvin “Keith” Clothier, age 73, sadly announce his passing at the Swift Current Care Center on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 9:01 PM. Keith was born on August 30, 1941 in Moose Jaw, SK, to Leonard & Vera Clothier, and would become the older brother to Lloyd. The new family struggled to make ends meet by farming and as his mother was a teacher, his childhood was spent living close to various small schools, like Camalachie, West Lake, Brandview, and Flowerville, where Vera worked teaching school. It was while the Clothier family lived in Blumenort that Keith met a pretty young blond lady that captured his heart… Sadie Martens. Keith and Sadie were married on April 13, 1963, at the Zion Mennonite Church in Swift Current. For 48 years they cultivated their marriage and raised a family. Keith was baptized on the confession of his faith, along with Sadie, in May of 1964. Many people have commented that they enjoyed his teaching of Sunday School and his Leadership/Administration qualities that he used for God’s kingdom. Keith decided to pursue a career in teaching and it was while he taught school in Stewart Valley, in January 1966 that Marlene Grace was born. Shortly after, the young family moved to Regina for Keith to complete his teaching degree at the University. Keith continued teaching in Pennant school and their family grew, Lorraine Faye was born in March 1969, and Ryan Keith in May 1972. Keith’s teaching then took the family from Pennant to Swift Current, and then on to Langley, BC. Langley was a growing place for Keith to stretch his teaching philosophy, he valued core-teaching principles, and that wasn’t always accepted. Circumstances led Keith & Sadie to rethink their future occupations and they decided to move back to Saskatchewan and specifically to Blumenort, to pursue dairy farming. Much advice was gleaned from local Dairy farmers so that they knew how to build and operate their new farm. Keith has always loved farming and sitting in the tractor, whether haying, seeding, or combining, this was something he enjoyed doing!  Keith’s administrative qualities continued being put to use by his meticulous charts, checklists and to-do lists that we learned to expect…and knew would never shorten. Keith also served on various Boards - Municipal, Dairy and Church related. Keith never fully recovered from the death of his beloved Sadie in November 2011, and his health suffered.  Due to his worsening health, Keith moved to the Swift Current Care Center in the summer of 2013, which was a transition that he took gracefully. At times he often wished he could move home, but the great staff was a joy to him. His life’s motto words were, “Oh, just trucking along”, and we are happy that he has, “trucked to heaven”. Keith is survived by his daughter, Marlene & George Friesen – Mellisa & Dominick Martens  (Adalyn, Sloane, Ira), Christine & Devin Pinkney (Fraser), Tyler & Pam Friesen; his daughter, Lorraine & David Dyck – Stephanie & fiancé, Michael Rutherford, Curtis, Amanda & Jesse Winslow; his son, Ryan & Heather Clothier – Raylene, Vanessa, Marshal, Chantal; his brother, Lloyd & Janice Clothier; Sadie’s siblings, Marge & Ben Banman, Jake & Sheila Martens, Bill & Brenda Martens; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, June 18, 2015, at 2:0 pm from the East Side Church of God, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Bryon Bezanson officiating. The pianist for the service was Mary Henderson. Scripture was read from Psalm 84 by Tyler Friesen, Curtis Dyck and Marshal Clothier. “When We All Get to Heaven”, “There’s Something About That Name”, “Family of God”, “What a Day That Will Be” and “How Deep the Father’s Love” were sung by the congregation. The life history was read by Ryan Clothier with tributes shared by Grandchildren. The chosen recessional song was “Meet Me In Heaven” by Johnny Cash. The ushers in the church were Jake Janzen, Henry Fehr, Ed Klassen and Ken Dyck. The Interment Service was held at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Ryan Clothier, Marshal Clothier, Dave Dyck, Curtis Dyck, George Friesen and Tyler Friesen.

 Service Information