Clarence was born in the former, tiny Dutch settlement Cramersburg in the rural municipality Miry Creek, five miles south of the River Saskatchewan, about 10 miles north of Abbey and 8 miles northeast of Lancer, in the southwestern part of the Canadian south central province Saskatchewan.
The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived. Because of animal diseases, coldness, drought, dustbowls, grasshopper invasions, several successive crop failures and low grain prices Clarence's family moved in 1922 back to Chicago. A few years later they moved, like his uncle David Leep's family, to the small gardeners town of East Martin, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan and his father Duke started like his brother David raising onions on shares.
In 1930 Clarence (16 y), his father Duke Leep (41 y), his mother Edith (40 y), his siblings Winnifred (14 y, born in Canada), Charles (13 y, Canada), Clara (10 y, Canada), Joseph (8 y, Canada), Jennie (4 y, Michigan) and Florence (1 y, Michigan) resided in Martin, Allegan County, Michigan. The family of Clarence's uncle David Leep was living there too.
Clarence married on 27 October 1939 at the age of 25 years to the three years younger Alyda Bouman.
In 1940 the 27 years aged metal polisher at General Motors Clarence Leep lived with his wife Alida (23 y) in a rented house in Martin Township, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan. They lived in 1935 at the same place.
Clarence's wife Alyda died in July 2006 in Martin at the age of 88 years, Clarence in November 2006 at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home at the age of 92 years.
Obituary of Clarence G. Leep:
Clarence Leep was a hardworking, honest and caring man, a man cut from a different cloth, in a different era. Clarence was a man of few words, though his actions spoke volumes, about what is right, and what is just. He often lived a hard life, but he always lived a good life, and taught us to do the same.
Clarence's story began on a cold winter day in 1913, just after a snowy Christmas in Lancer, Saskatchewan, Canada. That winter had been particularly brutal, as a massive storm blew down from Canada into the Midwest, killing over 250 people and sinking 19 ships in the Great Lakes alone. The young couple of Duke and Edith (Dykstra) Leep had moved to Lancer from Chicago to become homesteaders, yet that winter in Canada was bitterly cold. On December 27, 1913, a cold, snowy Saturday, their hearts were warmed by the birth of their first child, a baby boy, a son they named Clarence.
Clarence was the firstborn child in a family that would grow to seven children. The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived, however. Another natural disaster wrecked havoc on the homesteaders, as a swarm of locusts destroyed the family's crops, and sent them packing back to Chicago. When Clarence was just a young boy, the family moved again, this time to the small farm town of Martin, Michigan, where he would be raised on the family farm.
Being the oldest, there was always plenty to do and plenty of responsibility for Clarence, who helped out around the farm a great deal. Clarence attended Blossom School through the eighth grade, before his duties on the farm required his full attention. Perhaps because he never finished school, Clarence had a lifelong appreciation for schooling.
The Leeps were hardworking Christian people, and the family attended the East Martin Christian Reformed Church faithfully. It was at that church that Clarence met the love of his life, a beautiful young woman named Alyda Bouman. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married at the church on October 27, 1939, beginning a lifelong love affair. They came from such similar backgrounds, and always found a common ground together.
The newlyweds settled into life on a farm in Martin, where Clarence put his farming background and impressive work ethic to good use. Clarence grew carrots, onions and eventually sweet corn on the farm, in addition to rising before dawn each morning to milk his dairy cows by hand. It wasn't long before the new husband and wife also became father and mother, however.
Clarence and Alyda were blessed with four wonderful children in the coming years, Jim, Garnet, Gene and Linda, and Clarence and Alyda were both strict but loving. Alyda did much of the disciplining, while Clarence handled the major issues around the home when he came in from the fields. He was always a man of few words, but when he did speak, he commanded attention, and respect. He taught his children many things, but most of all he passed along his incredible work ethic, and taught them to always provide an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
Times were difficult for the family, and their home didn't have indoor plumbing until 1958, but they always made do, and were always thankful for what they had. The family was very frugal through the years because they had to be, but Clarence made sure they never wanted for anything. And although money was always tight, Clarence worked hard to send his kids to parochial school, teaching them the value of a good education. He served as treasurer of the East Martin Christian School for more than 20 years, and the success of that school was a longtime passion for him.
Clarence was a tireless worker, and took jobs in the wintertime to further support his family. He worked at many different machine shops over the years, in addition to working for General Motors in Grand Rapids. Later on, when he finally retired from farming, he took a full-time job with Checker Motors in Kalamazoo, working 10 years as a tool and die maker before retiring for good in 1978.
The family did much together through the years, and Clarence, despite his busy workload, always made time for his family. They always had dinner together (where Alyda insisted on sitting next to her beloved Clarence), and every Sunday they took a nap after church. A few times every summer, he'd splurge and take the kids to Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell. In 1961, some of the family piled into the car and drove to the Upper Peninsula to see Tahquamenon Falls, a trip they always remembered fondly.
When the kids had all grown, Clarence and Alyda rented a cabin on Platte Lake in northern Michigan every year for more than 20 years, enjoying their time together, sitting on the shore fishing. Apart from his family, fishing was Clarence's greatest passion, and he loved taking the kids to the Holland pier to cast their cane poles into the water for salmon, perch, or bluegill. He also enjoyed going to the Upper Peninsula to salmon fish, too.
Clarence had other hobbies, as well, and enjoyed reading, or doing latch hook in the wintertime. He also was a talented woodworker, who made beautiful furniture over the years. Clarence also had a lifelong love of tractors, and found great peace between those big wheels. He would even mow five acres of lawn every week, up until two years ago.
Of course, Clarence's greatest love was always for his family, and their well-being. One of the greatest days of his life was when he could finally burn his mortgage, smiling as the great burden on his family went up in smoke along with it.
Sadly, Clarence's beloved Alyda died Sunday, July 30, 2006. Clarence was reunited with his wife on Monday, November 13, 2006, after he died at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home.
Clarence was an amazing man, such a hardworking, caring, family man. He was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes, and taught us even more. Today his love, and his lessons, live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Learn more about Clarence, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church. Members of Clarence's family include his children; James (Helen) Leep of Martin, Garnet (Myron) Rau of Martin, Eugene (Sharon) Leep of Portage, Linda (Rick) Schipper of Kalamazoo, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, sisters; Jennie Helmholdt of Jenison, Florence (Harold) Tuinstra of Martin, sisters-in-law; Carolyn Bouman of Martin, Ann Adrian of Martin, Alice Leep of Grand Rapids. Besides his wife, Clarence was preceded in death by two brothers; Dr. Joe Leep and Charles Leep and two sisters; Winnifred Brink and Clara Talsma. Please visit Clarence's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donation to the East Martin Christian Grade School.
The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived. Because of animal diseases, coldness, drought, dustbowls, grasshopper invasions, several successive crop failures and low grain prices Clarence's family moved in 1922 back to Chicago. A few years later they moved, like his uncle David Leep's family, to the small gardeners town of East Martin, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan and his father Duke started like his brother David raising onions on shares.
In 1930 Clarence (16 y), his father Duke Leep (41 y), his mother Edith (40 y), his siblings Winnifred (14 y, born in Canada), Charles (13 y, Canada), Clara (10 y, Canada), Joseph (8 y, Canada), Jennie (4 y, Michigan) and Florence (1 y, Michigan) resided in Martin, Allegan County, Michigan. The family of Clarence's uncle David Leep was living there too.
Clarence married on 27 October 1939 at the age of 25 years to the three years younger Alyda Bouman.
In 1940 the 27 years aged metal polisher at General Motors Clarence Leep lived with his wife Alida (23 y) in a rented house in Martin Township, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan. They lived in 1935 at the same place.
Clarence's wife Alyda died in July 2006 in Martin at the age of 88 years, Clarence in November 2006 at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home at the age of 92 years.
Obituary of Clarence G. Leep:
Clarence Leep was a hardworking, honest and caring man, a man cut from a different cloth, in a different era. Clarence was a man of few words, though his actions spoke volumes, about what is right, and what is just. He often lived a hard life, but he always lived a good life, and taught us to do the same.
Clarence's story began on a cold winter day in 1913, just after a snowy Christmas in Lancer, Saskatchewan, Canada. That winter had been particularly brutal, as a massive storm blew down from Canada into the Midwest, killing over 250 people and sinking 19 ships in the Great Lakes alone. The young couple of Duke and Edith (Dykstra) Leep had moved to Lancer from Chicago to become homesteaders, yet that winter in Canada was bitterly cold. On December 27, 1913, a cold, snowy Saturday, their hearts were warmed by the birth of their first child, a baby boy, a son they named Clarence.
Clarence was the firstborn child in a family that would grow to seven children. The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived, however. Another natural disaster wrecked havoc on the homesteaders, as a swarm of locusts destroyed the family's crops, and sent them packing back to Chicago. When Clarence was just a young boy, the family moved again, this time to the small farm town of Martin, Michigan, where he would be raised on the family farm.
Being the oldest, there was always plenty to do and plenty of responsibility for Clarence, who helped out around the farm a great deal. Clarence attended Blossom School through the eighth grade, before his duties on the farm required his full attention. Perhaps because he never finished school, Clarence had a lifelong appreciation for schooling.
The Leeps were hardworking Christian people, and the family attended the East Martin Christian Reformed Church faithfully. It was at that church that Clarence met the love of his life, a beautiful young woman named Alyda Bouman. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married at the church on October 27, 1939, beginning a lifelong love affair. They came from such similar backgrounds, and always found a common ground together.
The newlyweds settled into life on a farm in Martin, where Clarence put his farming background and impressive work ethic to good use. Clarence grew carrots, onions and eventually sweet corn on the farm, in addition to rising before dawn each morning to milk his dairy cows by hand. It wasn't long before the new husband and wife also became father and mother, however.
Clarence and Alyda were blessed with four wonderful children in the coming years, Jim, Garnet, Gene and Linda, and Clarence and Alyda were both strict but loving. Alyda did much of the disciplining, while Clarence handled the major issues around the home when he came in from the fields. He was always a man of few words, but when he did speak, he commanded attention, and respect. He taught his children many things, but most of all he passed along his incredible work ethic, and taught them to always provide an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
Times were difficult for the family, and their home didn't have indoor plumbing until 1958, but they always made do, and were always thankful for what they had. The family was very frugal through the years because they had to be, but Clarence made sure they never wanted for anything. And although money was always tight, Clarence worked hard to send his kids to parochial school, teaching them the value of a good education. He served as treasurer of the East Martin Christian School for more than 20 years, and the success of that school was a longtime passion for him.
Clarence was a tireless worker, and took jobs in the wintertime to further support his family. He worked at many different machine shops over the years, in addition to working for General Motors in Grand Rapids. Later on, when he finally retired from farming, he took a full-time job with Checker Motors in Kalamazoo, working 10 years as a tool and die maker before retiring for good in 1978.
The family did much together through the years, and Clarence, despite his busy workload, always made time for his family. They always had dinner together (where Alyda insisted on sitting next to her beloved Clarence), and every Sunday they took a nap after church. A few times every summer, he'd splurge and take the kids to Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell. In 1961, some of the family piled into the car and drove to the Upper Peninsula to see Tahquamenon Falls, a trip they always remembered fondly.
When the kids had all grown, Clarence and Alyda rented a cabin on Platte Lake in northern Michigan every year for more than 20 years, enjoying their time together, sitting on the shore fishing. Apart from his family, fishing was Clarence's greatest passion, and he loved taking the kids to the Holland pier to cast their cane poles into the water for salmon, perch, or bluegill. He also enjoyed going to the Upper Peninsula to salmon fish, too.
Clarence had other hobbies, as well, and enjoyed reading, or doing latch hook in the wintertime. He also was a talented woodworker, who made beautiful furniture over the years. Clarence also had a lifelong love of tractors, and found great peace between those big wheels. He would even mow five acres of lawn every week, up until two years ago.
Of course, Clarence's greatest love was always for his family, and their well-being. One of the greatest days of his life was when he could finally burn his mortgage, smiling as the great burden on his family went up in smoke along with it.
Sadly, Clarence's beloved Alyda died Sunday, July 30, 2006. Clarence was reunited with his wife on Monday, November 13, 2006, after he died at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home.
Clarence was an amazing man, such a hardworking, caring, family man. He was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes, and taught us even more. Today his love, and his lessons, live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Learn more about Clarence, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church. Members of Clarence's family include his children; James (Helen) Leep of Martin, Garnet (Myron) Rau of Martin, Eugene (Sharon) Leep of Portage, Linda (Rick) Schipper of Kalamazoo, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, sisters; Jennie Helmholdt of Jenison, Florence (Harold) Tuinstra of Martin, sisters-in-law; Carolyn Bouman of Martin, Ann Adrian of Martin, Alice Leep of Grand Rapids. Besides his wife, Clarence was preceded in death by two brothers; Dr. Joe Leep and Charles Leep and two sisters; Winnifred Brink and Clara Talsma. Please visit Clarence's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donation to the East Martin Christian Grade School.
Clarence was born in the former, tiny Dutch settlement Cramersburg in the rural municipality Miry Creek, five miles south of the River Saskatchewan, about 10 miles north of Abbey and 8 miles northeast of Lancer, in the southwestern part of the Canadian south central province Saskatchewan.
The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived. Because of animal diseases, coldness, drought, dustbowls, grasshopper invasions, several successive crop failures and low grain prices Clarence's family moved in 1922 back to Chicago. A few years later they moved, like his uncle David Leep's family, to the small gardeners town of East Martin, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan and his father Duke started like his brother David raising onions on shares.
In 1930 Clarence (16 y), his father Duke Leep (41 y), his mother Edith (40 y), his siblings Winnifred (14 y, born in Canada), Charles (13 y, Canada), Clara (10 y, Canada), Joseph (8 y, Canada), Jennie (4 y, Michigan) and Florence (1 y, Michigan) resided in Martin, Allegan County, Michigan. The family of Clarence's uncle David Leep was living there too.
Clarence married on 27 October 1939 at the age of 25 years to the three years younger Alyda Bouman.
In 1940 the 27 years aged metal polisher at General Motors Clarence Leep lived with his wife Alida (23 y) in a rented house in Martin Township, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan. They lived in 1935 at the same place.
Clarence's wife Alyda died in July 2006 in Martin at the age of 88 years, Clarence in November 2006 at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home at the age of 92 years.
Obituary of Clarence G. Leep:
Clarence Leep was a hardworking, honest and caring man, a man cut from a different cloth, in a different era. Clarence was a man of few words, though his actions spoke volumes, about what is right, and what is just. He often lived a hard life, but he always lived a good life, and taught us to do the same.
Clarence's story began on a cold winter day in 1913, just after a snowy Christmas in Lancer, Saskatchewan, Canada. That winter had been particularly brutal, as a massive storm blew down from Canada into the Midwest, killing over 250 people and sinking 19 ships in the Great Lakes alone. The young couple of Duke and Edith (Dykstra) Leep had moved to Lancer from Chicago to become homesteaders, yet that winter in Canada was bitterly cold. On December 27, 1913, a cold, snowy Saturday, their hearts were warmed by the birth of their first child, a baby boy, a son they named Clarence.
Clarence was the firstborn child in a family that would grow to seven children. The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived, however. Another natural disaster wrecked havoc on the homesteaders, as a swarm of locusts destroyed the family's crops, and sent them packing back to Chicago. When Clarence was just a young boy, the family moved again, this time to the small farm town of Martin, Michigan, where he would be raised on the family farm.
Being the oldest, there was always plenty to do and plenty of responsibility for Clarence, who helped out around the farm a great deal. Clarence attended Blossom School through the eighth grade, before his duties on the farm required his full attention. Perhaps because he never finished school, Clarence had a lifelong appreciation for schooling.
The Leeps were hardworking Christian people, and the family attended the East Martin Christian Reformed Church faithfully. It was at that church that Clarence met the love of his life, a beautiful young woman named Alyda Bouman. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married at the church on October 27, 1939, beginning a lifelong love affair. They came from such similar backgrounds, and always found a common ground together.
The newlyweds settled into life on a farm in Martin, where Clarence put his farming background and impressive work ethic to good use. Clarence grew carrots, onions and eventually sweet corn on the farm, in addition to rising before dawn each morning to milk his dairy cows by hand. It wasn't long before the new husband and wife also became father and mother, however.
Clarence and Alyda were blessed with four wonderful children in the coming years, Jim, Garnet, Gene and Linda, and Clarence and Alyda were both strict but loving. Alyda did much of the disciplining, while Clarence handled the major issues around the home when he came in from the fields. He was always a man of few words, but when he did speak, he commanded attention, and respect. He taught his children many things, but most of all he passed along his incredible work ethic, and taught them to always provide an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
Times were difficult for the family, and their home didn't have indoor plumbing until 1958, but they always made do, and were always thankful for what they had. The family was very frugal through the years because they had to be, but Clarence made sure they never wanted for anything. And although money was always tight, Clarence worked hard to send his kids to parochial school, teaching them the value of a good education. He served as treasurer of the East Martin Christian School for more than 20 years, and the success of that school was a longtime passion for him.
Clarence was a tireless worker, and took jobs in the wintertime to further support his family. He worked at many different machine shops over the years, in addition to working for General Motors in Grand Rapids. Later on, when he finally retired from farming, he took a full-time job with Checker Motors in Kalamazoo, working 10 years as a tool and die maker before retiring for good in 1978.
The family did much together through the years, and Clarence, despite his busy workload, always made time for his family. They always had dinner together (where Alyda insisted on sitting next to her beloved Clarence), and every Sunday they took a nap after church. A few times every summer, he'd splurge and take the kids to Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell. In 1961, some of the family piled into the car and drove to the Upper Peninsula to see Tahquamenon Falls, a trip they always remembered fondly.
When the kids had all grown, Clarence and Alyda rented a cabin on Platte Lake in northern Michigan every year for more than 20 years, enjoying their time together, sitting on the shore fishing. Apart from his family, fishing was Clarence's greatest passion, and he loved taking the kids to the Holland pier to cast their cane poles into the water for salmon, perch, or bluegill. He also enjoyed going to the Upper Peninsula to salmon fish, too.
Clarence had other hobbies, as well, and enjoyed reading, or doing latch hook in the wintertime. He also was a talented woodworker, who made beautiful furniture over the years. Clarence also had a lifelong love of tractors, and found great peace between those big wheels. He would even mow five acres of lawn every week, up until two years ago.
Of course, Clarence's greatest love was always for his family, and their well-being. One of the greatest days of his life was when he could finally burn his mortgage, smiling as the great burden on his family went up in smoke along with it.
Sadly, Clarence's beloved Alyda died Sunday, July 30, 2006. Clarence was reunited with his wife on Monday, November 13, 2006, after he died at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home.
Clarence was an amazing man, such a hardworking, caring, family man. He was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes, and taught us even more. Today his love, and his lessons, live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Learn more about Clarence, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church. Members of Clarence's family include his children; James (Helen) Leep of Martin, Garnet (Myron) Rau of Martin, Eugene (Sharon) Leep of Portage, Linda (Rick) Schipper of Kalamazoo, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, sisters; Jennie Helmholdt of Jenison, Florence (Harold) Tuinstra of Martin, sisters-in-law; Carolyn Bouman of Martin, Ann Adrian of Martin, Alice Leep of Grand Rapids. Besides his wife, Clarence was preceded in death by two brothers; Dr. Joe Leep and Charles Leep and two sisters; Winnifred Brink and Clara Talsma. Please visit Clarence's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donation to the East Martin Christian Grade School.
The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived. Because of animal diseases, coldness, drought, dustbowls, grasshopper invasions, several successive crop failures and low grain prices Clarence's family moved in 1922 back to Chicago. A few years later they moved, like his uncle David Leep's family, to the small gardeners town of East Martin, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan and his father Duke started like his brother David raising onions on shares.
In 1930 Clarence (16 y), his father Duke Leep (41 y), his mother Edith (40 y), his siblings Winnifred (14 y, born in Canada), Charles (13 y, Canada), Clara (10 y, Canada), Joseph (8 y, Canada), Jennie (4 y, Michigan) and Florence (1 y, Michigan) resided in Martin, Allegan County, Michigan. The family of Clarence's uncle David Leep was living there too.
Clarence married on 27 October 1939 at the age of 25 years to the three years younger Alyda Bouman.
In 1940 the 27 years aged metal polisher at General Motors Clarence Leep lived with his wife Alida (23 y) in a rented house in Martin Township, Allegan County, in the western part of Michigan. They lived in 1935 at the same place.
Clarence's wife Alyda died in July 2006 in Martin at the age of 88 years, Clarence in November 2006 at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home at the age of 92 years.
Obituary of Clarence G. Leep:
Clarence Leep was a hardworking, honest and caring man, a man cut from a different cloth, in a different era. Clarence was a man of few words, though his actions spoke volumes, about what is right, and what is just. He often lived a hard life, but he always lived a good life, and taught us to do the same.
Clarence's story began on a cold winter day in 1913, just after a snowy Christmas in Lancer, Saskatchewan, Canada. That winter had been particularly brutal, as a massive storm blew down from Canada into the Midwest, killing over 250 people and sinking 19 ships in the Great Lakes alone. The young couple of Duke and Edith (Dykstra) Leep had moved to Lancer from Chicago to become homesteaders, yet that winter in Canada was bitterly cold. On December 27, 1913, a cold, snowy Saturday, their hearts were warmed by the birth of their first child, a baby boy, a son they named Clarence.
Clarence was the firstborn child in a family that would grow to seven children. The Leeps' time in Canada would be short-lived, however. Another natural disaster wrecked havoc on the homesteaders, as a swarm of locusts destroyed the family's crops, and sent them packing back to Chicago. When Clarence was just a young boy, the family moved again, this time to the small farm town of Martin, Michigan, where he would be raised on the family farm.
Being the oldest, there was always plenty to do and plenty of responsibility for Clarence, who helped out around the farm a great deal. Clarence attended Blossom School through the eighth grade, before his duties on the farm required his full attention. Perhaps because he never finished school, Clarence had a lifelong appreciation for schooling.
The Leeps were hardworking Christian people, and the family attended the East Martin Christian Reformed Church faithfully. It was at that church that Clarence met the love of his life, a beautiful young woman named Alyda Bouman. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married at the church on October 27, 1939, beginning a lifelong love affair. They came from such similar backgrounds, and always found a common ground together.
The newlyweds settled into life on a farm in Martin, where Clarence put his farming background and impressive work ethic to good use. Clarence grew carrots, onions and eventually sweet corn on the farm, in addition to rising before dawn each morning to milk his dairy cows by hand. It wasn't long before the new husband and wife also became father and mother, however.
Clarence and Alyda were blessed with four wonderful children in the coming years, Jim, Garnet, Gene and Linda, and Clarence and Alyda were both strict but loving. Alyda did much of the disciplining, while Clarence handled the major issues around the home when he came in from the fields. He was always a man of few words, but when he did speak, he commanded attention, and respect. He taught his children many things, but most of all he passed along his incredible work ethic, and taught them to always provide an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
Times were difficult for the family, and their home didn't have indoor plumbing until 1958, but they always made do, and were always thankful for what they had. The family was very frugal through the years because they had to be, but Clarence made sure they never wanted for anything. And although money was always tight, Clarence worked hard to send his kids to parochial school, teaching them the value of a good education. He served as treasurer of the East Martin Christian School for more than 20 years, and the success of that school was a longtime passion for him.
Clarence was a tireless worker, and took jobs in the wintertime to further support his family. He worked at many different machine shops over the years, in addition to working for General Motors in Grand Rapids. Later on, when he finally retired from farming, he took a full-time job with Checker Motors in Kalamazoo, working 10 years as a tool and die maker before retiring for good in 1978.
The family did much together through the years, and Clarence, despite his busy workload, always made time for his family. They always had dinner together (where Alyda insisted on sitting next to her beloved Clarence), and every Sunday they took a nap after church. A few times every summer, he'd splurge and take the kids to Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell. In 1961, some of the family piled into the car and drove to the Upper Peninsula to see Tahquamenon Falls, a trip they always remembered fondly.
When the kids had all grown, Clarence and Alyda rented a cabin on Platte Lake in northern Michigan every year for more than 20 years, enjoying their time together, sitting on the shore fishing. Apart from his family, fishing was Clarence's greatest passion, and he loved taking the kids to the Holland pier to cast their cane poles into the water for salmon, perch, or bluegill. He also enjoyed going to the Upper Peninsula to salmon fish, too.
Clarence had other hobbies, as well, and enjoyed reading, or doing latch hook in the wintertime. He also was a talented woodworker, who made beautiful furniture over the years. Clarence also had a lifelong love of tractors, and found great peace between those big wheels. He would even mow five acres of lawn every week, up until two years ago.
Of course, Clarence's greatest love was always for his family, and their well-being. One of the greatest days of his life was when he could finally burn his mortgage, smiling as the great burden on his family went up in smoke along with it.
Sadly, Clarence's beloved Alyda died Sunday, July 30, 2006. Clarence was reunited with his wife on Monday, November 13, 2006, after he died at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home.
Clarence was an amazing man, such a hardworking, caring, family man. He was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes, and taught us even more. Today his love, and his lessons, live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Learn more about Clarence, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church. Members of Clarence's family include his children; James (Helen) Leep of Martin, Garnet (Myron) Rau of Martin, Eugene (Sharon) Leep of Portage, Linda (Rick) Schipper of Kalamazoo, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, sisters; Jennie Helmholdt of Jenison, Florence (Harold) Tuinstra of Martin, sisters-in-law; Carolyn Bouman of Martin, Ann Adrian of Martin, Alice Leep of Grand Rapids. Besides his wife, Clarence was preceded in death by two brothers; Dr. Joe Leep and Charles Leep and two sisters; Winnifred Brink and Clara Talsma. Please visit Clarence's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donation to the East Martin Christian Grade School.
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