Alfred Claude Closs

Alfred Claude Closs passed away peacefully on Friday, April 1st, 2016 at the Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, SK, surrounded by family members, caregivers and music.  Claude was born in St. Boswells, SK on February 14th, 1927, the youngest child of Charles and Zella Closs.  A few years after his birth, his family moved to Braddock where he spent his formative years.  In 1941 Claude moved with his family to Moose Jaw, which became his ‘hometown’.  Claude married Evelyn May Cann on September 3rd, 1949.  They raised three children in Moose Jaw – Carolyn, Rick and Kevin.  Claude and Ev were married for over 55 years.  He took early retirement in 1986 to spend more time with Ev, who was struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.  He cared and supported her for over twenty years until her passing in 2004.  It was a significant part of Claude’s life and exemplified his love of and commitment to his wife.  Claude married Ivy Linnea Neff (Cedergren) on October 9th, 2004.  Claude and Ivy had known each other for decades as the Closs and Neff families were close friends.  Claude became part of a much larger family and enjoyed his new daughter and sons and their families.  The joy of Claude’s later years was his grandchildren — the Closs kids: Allison, Adam, Alana and Aaron; and the Neff kids: Roberta, Russell, Matt, Calvin, Sarah, Linnea, Emma and Kelsey.  He loved to visit, tease and share laughter.  Claude started fulltime work as a teenager with Robin Hoods Mills in Moose Jaw as a messenger.  A year or so later he landed a job with Canadian Pacific Railway.  He stayed with CPR for 44 years during which time he did a range of jobs primarily in Moose Jaw and Winnipeg, with short stints in Montreal and Vancouver.  He finished his career in Winnipeg as Customer Service Supervisor for the Winnipeg Division.  While work and family took most of Claude’s time, he played ball and pool as a young man and a lot of curling during his work years.  He also enjoyed any game where you threw a projectile in the air hoping to hit a mark — horseshoes, lawn darts and ladder golf.  The closest thing Claude had to a hobby was home renovations.  Claude was a member of the Lutheran Church and was active in congregations in both Moose Jaw and Winnipeg.  He taught confirmation classes in Winnipeg for a number of years.  Claude also loved to travel, spending time in California, Hawaii and Britain as well as many places across western Canada.  Family celebrations may have been a favorite whether it was a “corn roast” near the Watson farm, a wedding or a family reunion.  He loved to dance and could be seen on the dance floor throughout any wedding reception or anniversary.  He also spent many hours with ‘club’ friends in Moose Jaw in celebrations and travel.  Claude’s last two years were spent in care at the Pallisades Intermediate Care Home and the Sherbrooke Community Centre, both in Saskatoon.  He always thought he got great care in both places.  The caregivers often remarked what a great guy he was — never complaining, always witty.  The Sherbrooke had an integrated day care and pre-school and nothing could bring a smile to his face quicker than watching a bunch of toddlers dancing or singing and then giving him and other residence high-fives.  He stayed involved in Sherbrooke activities for as long as he could and most recently enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a great band, and of course, green beer.  He was predeceased by his parents, Bud and Nana Closs; wives, Evelyn and Ivy; daughter, Carolyn; all of his brothers and sisters and their spouses: Lula May, Chet and Ellen, Vera and Charlie, Viva and Len, Anne and Veral, Mabel and Ted, Euclid and Dorothy; Claude is survived by his sons, Rick (Emelia) and Kevin (Edna); step-daughter and sons: Ken (Brenda), Brenda (Blair), Wayne (Debbie) and Ron (Denise); his grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.  Claude loved them all.  The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Reverend Doug Shepherd will officiate and interment will take place at Sunset Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Claude’s name may be made to Parkinson Canada, 610 Duchess St, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0R1 www.parkinson.ca.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550