Obituary of Helmer Clifford Aspvik

Helmer Clifford Aspvik

Jan 20, 1932 – April 8, 2023

Helmer Clifford Aspvik passed away peacefully in his home on April 8, 2023.

Helmer was born on January 20^th, 1932 at the Red Cross Hospital at Paddockwood to Alfred and Hazel Aspvik. Helmer grew up in the Chesley School District, attending a one room school with is brothers and sisters. They walked almost one mile across country in summer and winter.

Helmer took upgrading after Chesley School to receive his grade 10, but Helmer never quit learning. His passion was studying history, especially World War Two. Helmer was a self-taught man of many things, eventually building his own sawmill from scratch, which provided a great source of income for the farm. Helmer was very proud of his reputation for producing quality lumber for his customers. Helmer also built and invented numerous useful items around the farm.

Helmer bought his first quarter of land when he was 18 years old, which started his farming career. Helmer enjoyed combining and raising cattle. Cliff can remember many walks in the rain checking on cows because that’s when they had time.

Helmer was also an Elder in the Community of Christ Church, along with Mom, performing many weddings and funerals throughout the community. He was always there to listen to anyone who was in need.

Helmer was always very proud of his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. There were also other children that came through their house that he was proud of and considered to be family, continuing with grandson Orin and his friends.

Helmer was pre-deceased by his parents, Alfred and Hazel Aspvik; siblings Helen Thompson, Myrtle Beckman, Richard Aspvik, and Victor (Mary) Aspvik; brothers-in-law, Rob Thompson, Earl Beckman, Ken Beckman, John Kuzyk, and Dale Loucks; as well as nieces and nephews.

Helmer is survived by his wife Lois (nee Loucks), of 62 years of marriage; his daughter Joy (Jean-Marc) Aubin, and their son Phillip; son Clifford Aspvik, and his son Orin, daughter Dae (Justin) Cardinal, and their children, Eren and Lylyenn, and step-son Clifford.

Helmer is also survived by his older sister, Alietha Beckman of Lawrence, Kansas, and younger sister Gladys Kuzyk of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Also morning his passing are sisters-in-law, Eleanor (Clyde) Land, Marilyn (Duane) Smith, Isabelle (Keith) Williams, Marianne (Duane) Kachur; brother-in-law, Jim Loucks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Helmer’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Paddockwood Community Hall, 1^st Street North, Paddockwood, SK.  A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Helmer may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200-325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729, Lisa Bos-Atchison and Paula Hanson, Funeral Directors.