Obituary of Donald William Schaber

November 30, 1938 - Edmonton, Alberta

December 7, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Donald Schaber of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the age of 85 years.

Don was born in Edmonton, AB on November 30, 1938. He grew up and worked hard on the family farm near Markerville, AB. At age 15, he quit school to get a job and help support the family. He then worked in road construction and owned Schaber Construction Ltd. He was always proud of the many roads, highways, and projects built. He had many stories coming from building the Nordegg area highways when living in remote camps. He went on to own businesses in custom seeding, energy-efficient windows and shutters manufacturing, and health products. He loved his nice cars, the outdoors, motorbikes, and ski-doos. Everything he did, he pushed the limits. Get’er done was his motto!

Don is survived by five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, Trudy (Brent) Carrels and their children, Brianna (Vince) Baart and Tessa (Jacob) Verhesen; Wendy Schaber; Darcy (Sharon) Schaber and his children, Chase and Dustin Schaber; Cindy (David) Schaber; Stacy (Ann) Schaber and his children, Kassidy, Braxton, and Paige; great-grandchildren, Jett Schaber (Chase) and Brianna (Trudy) baby due to arrive January 2024. Don is also survived by his former spouse of 25 years, Jean Durksen (nee Sweet), his one sister and five brothers, Delores Ferris, Ken Schaber, Larry Schaber, Garry Schaber, Harland Schaber, and Harvey Schaber. He was predeceased by his parents, Emmanuel and Elsie Schaber; his brother Fred Schaber, and his sister Brenda Schaber.

Don loved his hockey as an avid Calgary Flames fan. He enjoyed storytelling, old country and gospel music, and church. He valued visits from anyone who made the time to visit or call. He loved updates on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Drives to the mountains and countryside, and watching sunsets filled his soul the last few years.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Don’s family here.

Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14thStreet N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Don Schaber, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.