WALTER CLELAND

1925 - 2006

Walter Grant Cleland passed away in Bow Island, Alberta, with his family at his side, on January 8, 2006 at the age of 80 years.
Walt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma; two daughters Eleanor Cleland (Luke Naydiuk) and Jennifer (Roger) Penner; four sons Del (Vicki), Owen (Cynthia), Stuart (Arlene) and Cam (Susan); sixteen grandchildren Jordan (Jody), Troy (Leanne), Kirsten (Steve), Brooke (Ryan), Kelan, Jasmin (Carey), Brynn, Cayle, Taren, Colyn, Sydney, Carson, Mack, Austin, Kale, Ty; six great grandchildren Lauren, Nicholas, Brannon, Hailey, Caydin and Makaya. He is also survived by his brother Ralph (Jean) Cleland; sisters Lyla (Jim) Mitchell, Verna (Cliff) Castiglioni and a brother-in-law Cyril Richards.
Walt was predeceased by his mother and father May and Albert Cleland, oldest sister Marjorie Richards, his brother Ray Cleland and his infant daughter.
Walt was born October 24, 1925 and raised in the Porcupine Hills north of Cowley and met the love of his life Norma Simpson while attending high school in Pincher Creek. He spent his entire working life involved in agriculture in Pincher Creek, Taber and Bow Island areas.  In 1962 he moved to Bow Island to develop a vision of his business, with partners and friends Bob and Barb Simmons, in a dry edible bean business, along with a farming operation.  The bean business started as Island Seed Industries with a few hundred acres of production, and today has grown to 50,000 acres, two processing plants and production marketed throughout the world.  His farming career lasted twenty plus years and involved all of his sons. It also involved him in many agriculture industry boards, mainly in bean production as President of Alberta Pulse Growers and Western Canadian Pulse Growers.
His life away from work revolved around his children, who were all very active in sports, his music which involved singing and harmonica playing, dancing and service to his community. He managed and coached many hockey and ball teams, and spent many years umpiring ball and was involved in Alberta baseball as Commissioner, Vice President, President and Past President. He was also involved in  the Alberta Baseball Umpires Association for baseball and slopitch.  His coaching highlight was the Burdett Generals mens slopitch team, which all four of his sons played on, and their two Provincial titles and silver and bronze medals at the Slopitch Nationals.  He received many awards for his work involving sports and was honoured with a Life Time membership in the Alberta Baseball Association.  His music involved singing as a soloist and in the United Church choir. Walt and Adrian Stensrud spent many hours singing and playing harmonica and guitar. They also had many entertaining nights down at Jim Wutzke's shop "The Palm Breeze Hotel".  His harmonica playing was also the favorite of the little grandchildren and great grandchildren as he would get them dancing up a storm to the entertainment of all the adults.
In his later life his biggest enjoyment was his grand and great grandchildren, he spent many hours playing with them.  His camping trips with just himself and six to eight grandchildren heading out with the truck and the old trailer for two to three days were always a miracle to the parents and lasting memories to Walt and the grandkids. They all have their stories of those times.  In his last years as he became afflicted with lung disease and was not able to get around, one of his passions and mainstays of his days was coffee with the local coffee crew in Bow Island.  Walt made many good friends and was able to joke with the guys in his dry humor style, and debate all the problems of Bow Island and the world at great lengths.
The Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew's United Church, 139-2 Ave. West, Bow Island on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Sandra McMillan officiating. Interment will follow in the Bow Island Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Town of Bow Island, Arena Expansion Fund, Box 100, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0 or to the St. Andrew's United Church Memorial Fund, Box
36, Bow Island, Alberta  T0K 0G0.