Obituary of Mark Wolfleg

(Ninnonista) WOLFLEG – Mark Sr. February 4, 1919 – January 22, 2009 Mark passed away at the Rockyview General Hospital with his family beside him. He was two weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He had a huge gathering during Christmas with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many relatives. While we mourn the loss of a truly great man, we rejoice in his wonderful life. Mark’s father was born on the Blood Reserve and was a member of the Tail Feather’s family (He was baptized Tony Wolf Leg by the Oblate Fathers on the Blackfoot Reserve). His mother Einnimaki was from Siksika Nation. Mark has many extended families including the Delaneys, Brave Rocks and other relatives from the Blood Nation and the Siksika Nation. He married Mary Margaret Little Chief of the Siksika Nation in 1938 and they lived on the west end of Siksika from 1948 and ranched until 1970 when he became a maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 1984. Mark spent his last days at the Wentworth Manor in Calgary, AB. Prior to this, he was a resident at the Siksika Nation Elder’s Lodge. Mark drove his Ford F-150 until he was 87 years old. An old cowboy, Mark was very active, independent and worked as much in retirement as he did throughout his life. He was an extremely knowledgeable Siksika leader and was an active member in traditional Siksika societies, Siksika Chief and Council, Blackfoot A1 Club and an original member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police K Division Commanding Officer’s Elders Advisory ; mentoring many people from all walks of life. Mark was an active member of the Anglican Church; he made his Cursillo at Entheos on February 16, 1992. Mark attended Old Sun Residential School. He was a coal miner, athlete, cowboy, farmer, rancher, hockey player and traditional dancer who won many honours, championships and titles. Mark was the last surviving Siksika World War II veteran; having served with the 49th Loyal Edmonton Regiment in Europe and North Africa. He received many battle medals which include the 1939 – 45 Star, Africa Star, The Italy Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with bar, War Medal, Canadian Aboriginal War Veteran Medal, and the Saskatchewan Indian D-Day War Veterans Medal. Mark travelled many places around the world. His most treasured adventure was returning to Ortona, Italy (1986) where he visited the grave of his dear old friend Gordon Yellow Fly (Seaforth Highlanders). Mark was the lucky charm that previous Calgary Mayor Ralph Klein took with him in his bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics. He had the honour of presenting Queen Elizabeth II with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of Canada’s Veterans on Alberta’s Cenntenial in 2005. Mark will be lovingly remembered by his children Allan Joseph (Rosaria), Mark Jr. (Madeline), Rev. Mervin (June) Clarence Sr. “Agar” (Fran), Alvine (Norton), Francis “Butch” (Bonnie), Colleen (Harley), Clarence Jr. “Skip” (Rachel), sisters Maryann Wells, Audrey Pipestem and his adopted children Charlie and Marguerite Watson, Heather (Ian) John, Matt Vickers and their families. He had many “mokees” , his loving term for his grandchildren. He was predeceased by Uncle Fred Tail Feathers, Aunt Annie Wadsworth, Uncle Ernest Brave Rock, cousins William Wadsworth, Steven Wadsworth, and Ken Tail Feathers, Backfat relatives as well as many other cousins and members of the Siksika Nation; his wife Mary Margaret; siblings Genevieve Wolf Leg, Mildred Backfat, Simon Wolf Leg, Frank Turning Robe Sr., Nancy Many Heads; sons Morris Breaker and Walter Mayfield; daughters Joyce, June and Darlene Wolf Leg, and by his granddaughters Verna Joleene and Ajay Wolf Leg. Wake Services will be held at the PIIKSAPI (Gordon Yellow Fly) Memorial Arbour (Siksika Nation, AB) on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at PIIKSAPI (Gordon Yellow Fly) Memorial Arbour on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Paul Little Walker Cemetery (Siksika Nation, AB). Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Mark Wolf leg Sr., a tree will be planted at Siksika Nation by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.