Clarence Vanderschaaf

After a long struggle with cancer and diabetes, Clarence was called home to be with his Saviour.  He will be deeply missed by his wife, Jane (Haayema), of 60 years.  5 children, 13 grandchildren who called him grandpa, and 11 great-grandchildren who called him pake.

Dorothy & John Wikkerink

Tiffanie (Ryan) Francis - Hunter, Hailey

Tasha (Derek) Anderson - Brooklyn

Jack & Karen Vanderschaaf

Megan (Nick) Smith - Shane, Brinn

Jason (Amber) Vanderschaaf - Opal

Owen (Kiesha) Vanderschaaf

Jim & Crystal Vanderschaaf

Erin (Brad) Vanderveen

Carly

Margaret & Chris Pinnsonneault

Danielle

Devon

Doug & Lamorna Vanderschaaf

Mitchel & Karissa Schat

Jessica (Adam DeVries) - Markus, Payton, Clay

Scott (Makayla) Vanderschaaf - Revelynn, Nixon

Dyllan & Faith Vanderschaaf

Clarence was born to Jacob and Grace Vanderschaaf in Ferwouda, Friesland, The Netherlands.  When he was 14, he immigrated from Holland with his family in 1951 to Telkwa. He spent one year in school to learn English. He started working at TF&M Mill in Telkwa on June 25, 1953, when he was 15 years old, where he loaded boxcars by hand. In 1970 he moved to the new mill, P.I.R. in Smithers. While there he held almost every job on the site at one time or another, including yard foreman, mechanic, millwright, electrician, carpenter, log quality, and sample spreader. Clarence was a very hard-working individual and because of his experience, there were not very many jobs that he couldn't do. He worked there until he retired in 2000 as the longest-serving employee of 47 years. Clarence, his family, and co-workers celebrated his retirement with a get together in the office.

He enjoyed working in his shop, especially the last 2 1/2 years when we lived on 3rd Avenue. He loved it when his kids or grandkids came over to admire all the birdhouses, windmills, and his great-grandchildren's table and chairs.  Clarence always had a project going in his garage or workshop, most days he could be found in there and he could fix anything. He loved making birdhouses for the residents of Sparrows to sell as a fundraiser and for gifts. Clarence was also an avid garage saler and found lots of good deals or things that he would fix. 

Clarence is predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.  He leaves behind 3 sisters, 1 brother, and a large extended family. 

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