Clarence (Klaas) Woltjer of Red Deer, Alberta, beloved husband, father, and Opa was called home by his Heavenly Father on July 10, 2025, at the age of 85 years.

Clarence was born on July 21, 1939, to Andries and Antonia Woltjer in Enschede, Netherlands. He was the seventh child of nine. Clarence attended elementary school in Enschede and after that he went to trade school to become a baker. He worked after school in several different bakeries. After completing school, Clarence started working full time in the bakery until he had to serve in the military. After returning home from the army, he decided to emigrate to Canada. With the support of his parents, he made the trip across the ocean in 1961. He had a few different jobs, but eventually he was offered a position as journeyman baker at the Red Deer Co-op Plaza.

In the summer in 1967, Clarence went back to Holland to celebrate the 40^th Wedding anniversary of his parents. It was then that he met Betsy. After his visit he returned to Canada, but after six months he decided to go back to Holland to stay and marry Betsy. Clarence went back to the same bakery he worked at before emigrating, but after almost one year he was laid off. He started working in a bread factory. In February 1969, his son John was born and at the end of that year, Clarence decided to apply for emigration for Betsy and John. In May 1970, they made the move to Canada and lived with his brother Herman’s family in Penhold for six weeks. Clarence was able to get his job back at the Red Deer Co-op and worked there for 27 years, first as production manager, then manager at the new Deer Park Co-op. He took much pride in baking bread and buns and has won many awards. After 27 years, health problems prevented him from heavy lifting, and he went on disability for two years. When his disability pension ran out, he retired from Co-op and started working as a maintenance man for Starsand Holdings. He really enjoyed the work, his health improved dramatically, and he was able to do his job until his retirement in 2003.

Clarence has been involved for many years with the Friendship program at Michener Centre. He also served in different areas at Crossroads Church. First as a greeter, and later spent many hours in the kitchen, washing dishes, decorating desserts, or doing whatever needed to be done – always singing and whistling.

Clarence will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Betsy; son, John (Kelly); granddaughters, Morgan and Brooklyn; sisters, Diwi (Jan), Betsy, Anneke (Henk); in-laws, Piet Woltjer, Jan, Ineke Koning, and Niko Baatenburg de Jong in the Netherlands along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Clarence was predeceased by his parents and parents’ in-law; sisters, Corrie, Ina, Rietje; brothers, Jurjen, Herman; nephew, Roy Woltjer; in-laws, Jan Hogenbirk, Mini Woltjer, Gerry Woltjer, Koos Visser, Jan van der Vegt, Wim Nijhuis, and Hilde Baatenburg de Jong.

Clarence will be remembered for the love for his family. He was very proud of his two granddaughters, Morgan and Brooklyn, and he used every opportunity to share stories about them. Clarence was very creative, and he was able to fix almost anything. He loved woodworking and building, and he was always singing or whistling when working on a project. He had a great sense of humour and was a loyal friend. He will be remembered for his positive attitude and his contentment in life. His steadfast faith helped him to deal with the many health challenges in his life.

We would like to thank Doctor Claasen of Discovery Clinic, for his excellent care and compassion over the last years. We’d also like to thank the amazing staff at Red Deer Hospice for your outstanding care and kindness Clarence received over the last 4 months. We will always remember how his face would light up when he saw “his angels” coming into the room to take care of him.

A celebration of life will be held on July 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Crossroads Church, 38105 Range Road 275, Red Deer County, AB, T4S 2N4. The Following livestream link will be available: Crossroads church | Red Deer – Funerals.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society, Crossroads Church, or to donor’s choice. Condolences to Clarence’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Clarence Woltjer” in the subject line.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

• Date : 2025-07-15
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB "Locally Owned"