Obituary of John Clark Beggs

John Clark Beggs

1935 ~ 2025

With heavy hearts and tender memories, we announce the peaceful passing of John Beggs on January 19, 2025.

John was born June 4, 1935, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Dorothy and John Beggs. The second born of 4 boys, John was raised on the Arden Ridge near Neepawa, Manitoba.

At the age of 18, John set out to follow his older brother to the oilfields of Saskatchewan.  John worked on the oil rigs of the 1950’s, in the bitter cold of Saskatchewan winters. A bright light came into his life when he met a “cute little girl” from Unity, Saskatchewan.  John married Lorreen Wildeman on June 12^th, 1961, and the couple shared a love that endures still, 64 years later.  John and Lorreen were blessed with three daughters: Marina, Lorna, and Sandra.

John was employed as a battery operator near Colville, Saskatchewan, and in 1973, he accepted an offer from Husky Oil to be Production Foreman in the Stettler area. John and Lorreen decided to move their family to Alberta with hopes of a new life and opportunities for their daughters.   

John was well respected in the community and is remembered as being fair, honest, gentle, and kind. He was actively involved in the Oilmen’s Club, Stettler Curling Club, Genealogy Club, Naturalists Club, Alberta 55 Plus Games, and of course, the Stettler Golf Club.

John proudly retired at age 55. He spent many years traveling with Lorreen in their Volkswagen van and golfing wherever, and whenever he could. John was passionate about golf. He had a reputation for “ho hum” shots that went straight down the fairway and for his knack of retrieving many a lost golf ball.  Another highlight of John’s retirement was the morning coffee meetings with friends, affectionately called The Senators.  This group of fellow retirees provided plenty of laughs and friendships for the remainder of his life.

John’s family meant the world to him. John loved his daughters and enjoyed his grandchildren. He loved to hear of their interests and to share many stories of his own youth with them.  He enjoyed summer mornings on the front deck with Lorreen, and quiet evenings with a crossword puzzle or a good book. 

John is survived by his loving wife, Lorreen; daughters Lorna Selig (Bob Davies) and Sandra Beggs (Ashley O’Kurley); grandchildren Peter Lischuk (Chloe), Ryan Lischuk, Liam Selig, Jackson Selig, Rainen O’Kurley and Amaia O’Kurley; brothers William (Lynda) Beggs and Allen Beggs; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

John is predeceased by his parents John and Dorothy Beggs; brother Tom Beggs and sister-in-law Dorothy Beggs, and his dearly loved daughter, Marina Lischuk.

The family wants to thank the kind and compassionate nurses and doctors at the Stettler General Hospital for their care in John’s final days.  Thanks also to all who have shared time and laughter with John and Lorreen over the years and to those who have offered support in these past few weeks.

Celebration of Life

Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Memorial Donations may be made to Stettler Health Services Foundation, Stettler Food Bank,  or Healthy Heart Institute,  4406 – 50 Ave #206, Red Deer, AB T4N 3Z6