Charles "Clare" Hicks

Charles Clare Hicks was born on October 31st, 1929, in Hartney, Manitoba.  He passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 19th, 2024, surrounded by family, after a long and fulfilling life.

Clare was the beloved son of Roy and Margaret, and he spent the majority of his lifetime on the family’s homestead along the Souris River, carrying forward the tradition of farming. Clare grew up on Rosedale Farm with his siblings Evelyn and Gerald, where he learned the values of hard work, resilience, and love for the land. From a young age, Clare took on the responsibility of running the family farm, stepping in to help his father due to illness. Whether tending livestock, working the land, or operating large machinery, Clare poured his heart and strength into his work—a trait that remained with him throughout his life.

He attended Grand Bend School, and fondly remembered his rides to school in a horse-drawn buggy driven by his Grandfather William or on the back of his faithful pony.  He shared lots of stories and antics about the happenings in a small one room school.  

Clare enjoyed ball and hockey as a young man, but his talent lay in the sport of curling, which he took up at a tender age at the Melgund rink. He spent many hours hurling rocks after his chores were done. He enjoyed playing for some 50 plus years also teaching his children to curl.  He even took in some competitive bonspiels in Winnipeg but duties on the farm kept him close to home. He enjoyed golf and took it up again later in life, teaching his grandchildren to play and making new friends.  He found it equally enjoyable to hunt in the rough for the stray golf balls of others, and he had an impressive collection to show for it.  At the age of 88 he enjoyed his last summer of golf; he played as many rounds that summer as his age.

Clare took an electrical course in Brandon and used the skills he learned throughout his life, just one of the skills for a jack of all trades. Like most farmers he had to know about mechanics, plumbing, along with animal husbandry and land management.

Clare met and married Elizabeth Rose Asmundson of Westbourne Manitoba, and together they raised a family of five girls and three boys.  Having eight kids made for lots of mouths to feed, but this meant lots of hands to help.  Clare took great pride in teaching his children the values of hard work, the joys of farm life, and how to ride horses.  He coached hockey, was a 4-H leader, an avid fan of the kids sporting and school events and enjoyed the busy life that 8 children brought.  Sometimes even stopping after a long day in the field to play a game of catch in the front yard.

In 1963, Clare accomplished a lifelong goal of obtaining his pilot’s license.  This love for flying we think was sparked by seeing the pilots at the Commonwealth training centres as a young boy.  He purchased a plane with a neighbour and together they obtained a Pest Control Permit and had exciting adventures curbing the coyote population from the sky above.

His deep connection to the land extended to his animals, especially his horses and cattle. Clare expanded his herds over the years on the Circle Dot Stock Farm across the river from the family homestead, ensuring that his livestock were always cared for before himself.   Many hours were spent in the hay flats making sure there was always lots of feed for the winter and he spent long winter days and nights calving out cows.  A natural rider who grew up on the back of horse, he stood tall in the saddle and rode with ease and grace.  A cowboy at heart, a steadfast horse was a welcome companion while doing chores, rounding up cattle or making trips to the river to cut a water hole in the dead of winter.  His passion of horses lead him on many adventures. Taking up chuckwagon & chariot racing in his 50’s, continuing to race into his 60’s.  Always young at heart, and with a mischievous smile, he even attempted the thrilling Ben Hur chariots on a few occasions. He organized many a trail ride through the Lauder Sandhills, for friends and family to enjoy and travelled all over Manitoba and Saskatchewan to attend other rides.  A dream come true to ride the Boundary Commission Trail, a 5-day trek from Wood Mountain to Fort Walsh – a journey he completed twice, once with son Brendan.

At the age of 72, Clare & Betty moved to Virden, but this didn’t slow him down. He volunteered on the Pioneer Home Museum Board, at the library, and at the recycling depot. He joined the Oak Lake Royal Legion Branch.  He also helped Betty organize music jams in Virden and enjoyed chauffeuring her to many gigs—seizing the opportunity for a good waltz or two-step along the way. His early years delivering farm equipment for CCIL made him a natural fit for his new role at Piston Ring, delivering parts and making friends with his gift for conversation.  Any spare time was filled with babysitting the grandkids or a coffee with friends.  Becoming a grandfather was the cherry on the top of a good life and having them spread out in age kept him young and active for a long time.  He was often found following them around to the hockey rink, football field and baseball diamonds.  He passed on his love of horses and golf to some and his love of chocolate to the little girls. Never passing up the chance to give a big squeezy hug or to slip a little cash into their hands.

Clare was blessed with good genes and lived a long life with good health until the last few years, when the signs of his age finally caught up to him. He had an exceptional memory and could recall events, places and people with great accuracy.  Whether soaring through the skies or racing the ponies well into his 60s, Clare showed us all that age is no barrier to chasing your passions. Many lessons can be drawn from Clare’s life: find joy in the simple things, savor a home-cooked meal, watch a prairie sunrise or sunset, tap your toes to a good song, and enjoy a leisurely ride on a strong horse. Laugh at a good joke, work hard, but always take time for a nap—whether it’s under a tree, leaning against the tire of a tractor, on a saddle or from the comfort of your favorite chair. Most importantly, always make time to chat with family and friends.

His legacy will live on for generations to come.  Rest Easy Old Cowboy.

Clare is survived by his eight children: daughter, Kimberly (Graham) MacKenzie of Pipestone and their children: Derek (Eva) MacKenzie (son, Cole), Jason MacKenzie (deceased) (his daughter, Sarah) and Gavin (Cheryl) MacKenzie, (children, Rylee and Luke); daughter, Jacqi Hicks of Hartney; son, Morley (Donna) Hicks of Deloraine; daughter, Lisa Hicks of Virden; son, Ryan (Sara) Hicks of Virden (son, Ethan); daughter, Tanya Hicks of Virden; daughter, Marla (Alan) Wilson of Virden and their children: Coyle (Ashlynn) Wilson (daughter, Bennett), Dalton Wilson and Leif Wilson; son, Brendan (Trisha) Hicks of Hartney and their children: Lincoln, Carson, Aidrik, Vanessa and Vayda; sister, Evelyn Hicks of Hartney.

He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Hicks; grandson, Jason MacKenzie; parents, Roy and Margaret Hicks; and brother, Gerald Hicks.

A celebration of life officiated by Joyce Marsh was held on September 14th, 2024, in Lauder Manitoba.  A fitting afternoon of visiting, music and good food. 

If anyone wishes to, donations can be made to the Lauder Cemetery or the charity of your choice.

Thank You.

The family of Clare Hicks would like to express our gratitude to everyone that reached out to us during our time of sadness and those whose joined us for Dad’s Celebration of Life.  Thank you to Joyce Marsh for guiding us and adding a personal touch to dad’s service.   Thanks to Joanne and Dianne for catering the wonderful meal.  A special thank you to Jeff Jonsson for designing Dad’s Urn, your kindness and the consideration you put into its creation will never be forgotten.  

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