Obituary of Donald James WEGENER

WEGENER, Donald James On Sunday July 30, 2017, Don passed away peacefully at his home in Strathmore at the age of 67 years. Don is survived by three sons, Laine (Sara), Wyatt (Asha), Landon (Kim); five grandchildren, Kinsey, Rylee, Maddex, Rome, Avi; three brothers, Moon (Wendy), Clay (Lorna), Jaye (Rhonda); mother of his children, Cheryl Draper; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Gen and Arnie Wegener and by his partner, Claire Kuchle in 2015. Don or “Quiffley” to his family and friends was born on June 26, 1950 in Calgary to Gen and Arnie Wegener. In 1953, Don was stricken with polio and was left with severe scoliosis of the spine. From 1953 to 1967, he spent most of his time at the Alberta Children’s Hospital where he received both treatments and education. Despite the polio, Don maintained a fairly normal childhood; playing sports, enjoying weekends at Pa Cote’s and Uncle Beano’s farm at Carseland and made years worth of memories spent at home with his brothers and parents, eating delicious home cooked meals prepared by his mother. In 1968, he graduated with his Senior Matriculation Certificate from Samuel Crowther School in Strathmore. Following his graduation, Don continued with corrective surgery, completed at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He had lived and worked for fifty (plus) years within thirty miles of his childhood home. Don had several successful careers and business ventures, most memorably the 28 years he spent at the Wheatland Feeders Association. He spent many happy years with his partner Claire on the farm in Cluny where they loved gardening and puttering in the yard. In the last few years, Don enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends, most notably his grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at the Hope Community Covenant Church, 245 Brent Boulevard in Strathmore on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society, P.O. Box 2154 Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1K2. To send condolences, please click the link below or email directly to: condolences@wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. Send Condolences