Obituary of Clara Marie Neets

NEETS: Clara Marie Neets passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at her residence, Hillcrest Place, at the age of 93 years. Clara was born at home on the farm in the R.M. of Oakland, MB on February 22, 1925 in a snowstorm. She drove her little pony to the Minnewawa School until grade nine, then on to the Carroll school, where she made life-long friends. Later, she would go on to business college, where she received her diploma in business. In 1946, Clara married Dan Neets at the age of 21 in Vancouver, where they lived for a few months before returning to her roots on the farm. Daughter Mary Eileen was born in 1947, followed by Heather Ann five years later. They had a fulfilling career with McLeod's Hardware Store; travelling to Foam Lake, SK, then on to McCreary, MB. After their return to Brandon in 1965, they bought their Richmond Avenue home, where they spent their later years. Dan and Clara were very active socially; whether it was playing cards with friends or going to their cabin at Clear Lake. Clara was active in golfing, bowling, line dancing and clogging, increasing her wealth of friends along the way. Dan and Clara had many amazing trips such as bus tours to the casinos with friends, going to Disney World, and going as far as England, Scotland and Switzerland. She loved catching up with her relatives that still lived in the 'Old Country'. There were bus trips to the Moose Jaw Spa and Casino, which she really enjoyed, right up until as late as October of last year. She was still asking this spring when she was going again. She was always a hard worker and continued to do what she could, even when it became harder for her to get around. She loved seeing each and every one of her grandchildren and she was always interested in what was happening in their lives. She always enjoyed her phone calls, letters and visits from friends and relatives. A special thank you to Dr. Mary Egan for her wonderful, compassionate and caring ways and to the Hillcrest Nursing Home for all their loving care. She had some very special bonds formed with some of the staff in the home. Clara was predeceased by her parents Hugh and Mary Munn and her brother Dalton Munn. Clara will be lovingly remembered by her husband Dan Neets; her daughters: Mary Chambers (Bert and Anne Chambers) and Heather (Terry) Nicol. Her grandchildren: Curt (Angela) Chambers; Jason (Beckie) Chambers; Pamela Chambers (Rob Green); Teresa (Scott) Myers; Cyndi (née Nicol) Byrd and Kurt (Kerri) Nicol. Her great grandchildren: Devon (Nicole) Wood; Amanda (Scott) McDougald; Tyson Chambers; Aelan and Ethan Chambers; Jayden and Mason Green; Kerry and Dylan Myers; Kailey, Trace and Luke Byrd; Shelayne Bloomer; Reid and Kale Nicol and one great-great grandchild Savannah Wood. A Memorial Service was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Friday, August 17, 2018 with grandchildren Curt and Angela Chambers as Urn Bearers. Donations in memory of Clara can be made to the Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home 'Recreation Department', 930 26th Street, Brandon, MB, R7B 2B8.