BOCHEK - Surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 16, 2009, Clarence Bochek, beloved father and grandfather, and long time farmer of the Hodgeville district, passed away peacefully at the Swift Current hospital at the age of 78 years. Clarence was the youngest of six sons born to Joseph and Hulda Bochek. He was born on October 28, 1930, on the farm north of Hodgeville [on the SE quarter of section 25, 14:8]. Clarence attended school at Vickers and later attended Hodgenville School. After school he began farming 2 miles east of Vogel. On November 29, 1958, he married Marlene Gross. The young couple settled on the farm, where their first project was to remodel the house on the farm, turning the former Vogel Post Office building into their first home. Here they started their family. As the family grew, they outgrew the first house and built a new home in 1968. The new house became home to Clarence, Marlene and their seven children, one daughter and six sons. Clarence is predeceased by his wife Marlene in 2005; his father Joseph Bochek in 1982; his mother Hulda in 1949; and his brothers Roy, Floyd, Arnold, Harold and Ernie. Clarence is survived by his children, Caron (Jan) of Chemainus, BC, Raymond (Jackie), Ken (Deb), Wayne (Arleen), all of Hodgeville, David of Swift Current, Steven (Wanda) and Alvin, also of Hodgeville. Clarence is also survived by eighteen cherished grandchildren, Kahle, Kristen, Cassidey, Matthew, Carter, Lacey, Jordan, Jeremy, Jenna, Jessica, Roxanne, Zachary, Breanna, Logan, Andrew, Shannon, Morgan and Charles; sisters-in-law: Eunice Bochek, and Lucille Bochek, Margaret Percival (Bob), and Mary Gross; brothers-in-law: George Gross, Albert (Marg) Gross, Herman (Gloria) Gross; and numerous nieces and nephews. Hard work, honest sweat, independence, a sense of humor and dedication to his family were the building blocks of Clarence's life. He was a life long farmer who worked the land with both his hands and his heart. He met the challenges of each season with determination and a spark in his eye. Spring time breezes brought seeding and calving and auction sales, summer sun shine led to haying and summer fallow, fall colors brought the harvest and winter winds blew while feeding cows and hauling grain. Clarence's love of farming never faded and he was determined to try and continue to do what he could even though health was limiting him. Family was very important to Clarence and Marlene. Clarence (Dad) was supportive of his children's decisions and taught his children to be independent. When one of them came to him for advice he would talk it through with them and say: "Just do what you need to do." Clarence enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He worked on projects with them such as woodworking and playing games such as Chinese checkers and krokono. Shooting gophers and singing along to the radio were other pass times he enjoyed. Grandpa showed his competitive spirit when he played krokono, he loved the game and would play over and over, laughing every time someone missed an easy shot. He could never say no to playing cards even though he was ready to go home. "Just one more game Grandpa" would get him to stay just a bit longer. Clarence had such a sweet tooth. His life with Marlene was a match made in heaven for many, many reasons. Her legendary desserts were just one of many. And if one of the kids had raided the deep freeze of treats he could always fall back on sugar and cottage cheese. Clarence loved to have fun and had a great sense on humor. Seeing the humor in situations helped him through many of his children's adventures. He giggled and said "oh my" when his daughter, who had just gotten her driver's license, came home with tears in her eyes. It seems that the gas pedal of the family station wagon had floored itself while driving down Main Street on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Then there was the afternoon when the local RCMP officer drove into the yard. Clarence chuckled when he said he thought they were looking for one of his boys but were actually just asking directions to one of the neighbors. And we'll never forget how he taught us to wiggle our ears! We are blessed to have had Clarence in our lives. He shared his life unselfishly, guiding us with his support and advice as we grew into adults with spouses and parents ourselves. Memories of Saturday morning wrestling, Sunday night Walt Disney and Hockey Night in Canada with Howie Meeker and Peter Puck will always be with us. Clarence will be with us when we catch a glimmer of first light in the morning, the twinkling of stars in a clear sky and the sparkle in his children's and his grand children's eyes. We love you Dad. Funeral service was held on Monday, April 20, 2009, at 2:00 pm in St. Joseph R.C. Church, Hodgeville, SK, with Father John Foley celebrant. Readers were Kirby Hawkins and Lacey Bochek. Processional song was “Somebody Praying” by Ricky Skaggs. Hymns by cantor Dale Haubrich accompanied by Debbie Waldenberger were “Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Recessional song was “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill. Alter Servers were Brooklyn Haubrich and Riley Haubrich. Eulogy was written by Clarence’s family and read by Arleen Bochek. Pallbearers were Jeremy Bochek, Jordan Bochek, Kahle Back, Lacey Bochek, Kristen Bochek and Zachary Bochek. Interment was at the St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Tributes in Clarence’s memory may go to Herbert Integrated Health Facility. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.