It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Clara who was born on Oct 16, 1935; the first born of 7 children born to Anton (Tony) and Rose (Werner) Houk. The family moved around a lot because they had to go wherever grandpa could find work. Mom doesn’t recall living in Denzil or Kerrobert where she was born, but her first recollection was 1943 when they lived in Aberdeen. By this time the family had grown to a family of 4. Mom had to quit school and start working out as a housekeeper after grade 7 to help raise money to support the family.

Grandma, Grandpa and mom all were born again when the Sutera twins were ministering in Nipawin; not sure what year that was. Even though the kids were first raised in the Catholic church, after conversion to Christ they were brought up and trained in the ways of the Lord. Mom’s deep faith in God made her the woman that she always exemplified.

The family moved to Melfort in 1959. Mom was already working for the Creamery in Nipawin from 1955-58 where she learned to candle eggs and got transferred to Melfort. The creamery is where she met Dad. He asked her to a school concert and since she loved those type of things she said yes. Then he continued to bring in eggs from the farm every week and the love affair grew. They dated for about a year before getting married Nov 16, 1960. Mom continued at the Creamery until Charlotte was born on March 15, 1962. She would work and go to her parent’s home to nurse Charlotte and go back to work. After they were married dad worked for Dept of Highways but when they wanted to send him way down south he quit and started working for Cyril Phillips in Tisdale. Dad still was gone working all week and only home on weekends. He also worked for a construction building crew when he decided to be a dad and support to mom with the kids.

After Richard was born June 2, 1964 she became a stay at home mom until they got the store in Beatty in 1971. She asked dad to sell a quarter of land and buy her the store for their anniversary. She worked hard, but always loved the store as it was her dream job. When the mall opened in Melfort the business declined and they weren’t able to make a profit anymore so sold it to the Larsons in Dec 1981. Mom & dad worked tirelessly running the store they called Mid-Town Grocery until 1981 when they sold it and moved back to Melfort.

After returning to Melfort, neither mom or dad could sit still and do nothing. She started babysitting in 1982 and continued taking in kids for $1.25 per hour until she turned 65 years old. Dad worked for the city of Melfort for many years and tended the cemetery until he turned 65 and was forced to retire.

In addition to babysitting, mom took up one of her hobbies, knitting again. She knit baby toques for the maternity ward and mitts for the Salvation Army Christmas hampers. In recent years she started making soap savers, floor moppers and socks. Her needles were still on the go at the time of her passing.

Mom loved living at Diefenbaker Place where she made many friends. Every morning Marion Mullen and her would call each other to be sure they were okay. Neighbors Phyllis Aasen and Alma Stull checked on her regularly which is so appreciated by the family. You could find mom down playing card bingo on Wednesday night and whenever there was entertainment she was down there listening and tapping her toes (wishing she could still dance). Mom enjoyed lunches downstairs in the Link cooked by Shelley Brittain and the food was always scrumptious.

For many years until 2003 mom and did went camping pretty much every weekend; mostly to Nipawin Regional Park. They sold the fifth wheel when they both became too crippled to camp anymore. Mom and Charlotte made the meals and looked after the kids while the men fished.

Clara is survived by her children: Richard and children Troy and Chayse; Charlotte and children Daniel and Charity (Christian Cochet); great grandchildren Micah and Maddie; Sister Marjorie Price-Jones, Brothers Jerome (Julie), Johnny (Phoebe), Tony (Joyce); Sisters-in-laws Marion Preete, Yvonne Chapman, Elsie Houk; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her parents Tony and Rose Houk; husband Sam, brother Pius Houk, sister Beatrice Klub, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws Charlie Chapman, Ray and Eula Preete, Cody and Anne Preete, Charlie and Blanche Mikulski, Jim Preete, Joe and Elsie Preete, Nick and Jean Gehlen, and Paul Klub, and niece Barb Preete.

Rest in peace in the presence of Jesus. We will miss you deeply.

A Celebration of Clara’s life will be held on Friday July 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Salvation Army Church in Melfort, SK.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to The Salvation Army Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium (306)752-3838

• Date : 2025-06-29
• Location : Melfort