Obituary of Clayton Osterbeck

CLAYTON OSTERBECK October 11, 1922 - January 18, 2011 Survived by his wife, Dora of 64 years, son Peter (Lena), daughter Carol, daughter Gail (Ken), son Merle, son Murray (Rose), son Jack, his sister, Doreen as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Predeceased by his mother, Stephanie, his father, Peter, two brothers, Jake and Roy and two sisters, Aleda and Loreen. Clayton was born in Ryerson, Saskatchewan on October 11, 1922. They moved to Antler, Sask. before he started school and lived there till he married Dora Brown on June 28, 1947. He farmed his father's farm with his brother, Roy till 1948. Then he rented a farm in Butler till 1952. In 1952 they moved to Marquette, Manitoba and rented a farm for a year. In 1953 they moved to Eriksdale and bought a farm. Besides farming, Clayton was the fire warden for 15 years starting in 1955. He was also the pound keeper for 30 years also starting in 1955. In 1959, he started driving "the school bus" which was a 1957 Sedan Delivery. He drove the Deerhorn, LaFontaine, Abbeville, Little Breton and Pebble Beach routes over a span of 27 years. In between school hours, he worked in garages around town for 9 years. To say he was hard-working is a major understatement. I have never known another man who worked a farm besides holding down 4 other jobs for a period of 9 years in order to provide for his family. In 1964 they bought a different farm in the same community and had the St. Laurent station house moved onto the property which became the family home. Dad retired from driving the school bus in 1986. He retired from farming in 1992. After Dad retired from school bus driving they spent a lot of time on the highways and byways of North America because Dad's hobby was driving. They traveled to the west coast, too many times to count, to the east coast, to the states as well as to Alaska. He quit driving 3 months ago due to ill health. After Dad retired they did a lot of things together- cooking, cleaning, gardening, (they had a green house) and playing card games with friends. They sold the farm in 1997 and bought a house in Winnipeg. Also at this time, they bought a piece of property north of Gimli where all the children were encouraged to pick a spot and set up camp. We have a lot of fond memories. Although he had great adversity in his life, he faced those times with incredible courage and uncompromising determination. He knew how to just keep putting one foot in front of the other till he overcame and got through to the other side where there was victory. If each of us look within ourselves, I believe that we will find that he deposited these characteristics within each of us by the life and example he lived. Then we too will be able to face our adversities and overcome. These characteristics are the legacy he left us. While he was still able to speak, when someone would ask him how he felt he'd say-'Could be better, could be worse'. Now that he is with God, his answer will be 'Better.' Rev. 21:3-4 ...Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain:... Now Daddy dear, we wonder...Are you up in Heaven waking up the angels at 6:00 am with the radio blaring? See you later. Anyone wanting to make donations can do so through CancerCare Manitoba. Thanks to the staff at St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit for their wonderful care of our dear husband and father. You treated him with dignity, respect, honor and gentleness. You treated him as though he were your own. Thank you. Cropo Funeral Chapel 586-8044