Don Cliffe passed away Wednesday January 21, 2026 in Lacombe, AB at the age of 90.

Don was born on Feb 06, 1935 in Sexsmith, AB to Milton and Alene.  He was born at the hands of midwife Johanna Haakstad, a staple in maternity care for the South Peace region.  Don was the oldest of four children, being followed by Marlene (Alec) Kapiniak, Darrell (Audrey) Cliffe and Sharon (Leo) Nelkenbrecher.

Don has fond memories of his grade school years, which were in a one-room schoolhouse in the Morningview district.  Those years were followed up by high school in Sexsmith where Don joined the air cadets.  There he received a scholarship to earn his pilots license in Edmonton, which he got at age 17.

On June 30, 1957 Don married Marie Becthold, and they followed up with three children, Kevin (Linda), Sheri, and Janice (Maurice).  Don worked a variety of jobs over the next few years, even returning to his father’s farm, before settling down in 1961 operating his own grain farm near Woking.  There he built up a private runway on that farm, and especially enjoyed winter ski flying.  Don also enjoyed driving the grain cart at harvest time.

However, in the midst of all of this, January 21, 1980 was the most unfortunate day in Don’s life, where he had a truck accident that left him partially paralyzed with a broken neck.  This accident and resulting pain would affect Don’s quality of life for the next 46 years.  Even after the accident Don continued to work on the farm, at times alongside his son Kevin, until he retired in 2019.  Don left his heart on the farm.

Don was a keen observer of nature, loving to use his binoculars watching and distinguishing the birds flocking through the area and living on the nearby pond.  He also enjoyed classic cars, and the rustic beauty of farms and their buildings, especially those throughout western Canada.  Unsurprisingly Don also had a deep love for planes, which also tied into a fondness for tank and boats, especially from the wartime era.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Milton and Alene, and his brother-in-law Leo.  He is survived by his dear wife of 68 years, Marie, and their three children, Kevin (Linda), Sheri, and Janice (Maurice).  He also leaves behind five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at the Lacombe Memorial Centre on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.