We come together to honor the life of Gerrardus Johannes (Gerrit) de Gooijer, who passed away on August 8, 2025, in Regina. He was 98 years old. He led a fulfilling life, driven by his strong faith in God, his devotion to his wife Truus, and his love for his family. Pop, as he was affectionately called by his children, shares his story like this:
I was born on October 9, 1926, in Slagharen, Holland. My father was Elbertus de Gooijer and my mother was Maria Aleida Busscher. I grew up during the difficult times of the thirties. I went to school for eight years and finished just before the war began in Holland on May 10, 1940. I took evening classes for three years and spent two years at agricultural school. During the latter part of the war, I had to work in the North East Polder and continued working there after the war ended. In 1946, I was drafted into the army and served in Indonesia for 34 months. Just before joining the army, I met a lovely young girl in Slagharen; we stayed connected throughout those years-yes, Truus Pieper waited for me-and it was wonderful to reunite on May 24, 1950. That summer we decided to move to Canada. We got married on April 4, 1951, in Slagharen and sailed to Canada aboard the Volendam on April 14. We arrived in Quebec on April 24 and reached Kelliher by train on April 27 that same year. We were welcomed by our new employer Bob Church and were fortunate to meet such kind people-Bob and Millie Church along with their children Carole and Don. We lived with them for three years before spending seven months in Lockwood; then we returned to Kelliher where we rented a farm for three more years. In 1958 we purchased a small farm south of Kelliher where I worked at Kelliher Coop for over two decades while our family expanded until we had three daughters and five sons. As parents, we’re incredibly proud of them.
Over the years I’ve been active with several organizations including Kelliher minor hockey league, Kelliher Arena management committee, Kelliher’s local chapter of 4-H club , the School Board , Kelliher Legion , both Credit Unions in Kelliher and Yorkton , Kelliher housing group , Seniors organization , and The Memorial Gardens.
After moving into town in 1991, I spent many winter months woodworking down in my basement while summers were dedicated to gardening around our large yard. I helped out a bit on farms too, and working at Memorial Gardens (the cemetery) kept me busy as well. We made numerous trips back home to Holland over time especially after Lydia moved there. When we first arrived here, it felt like landing with an amazing family within a fantastic community; we’ve never regretted coming here.
Pop and Mom lived independently at their own home in Kelliher until October 2024 when they relocated to Trinity Manor in Regina. In his final week, Pap said “I know where I’m going, I’m just not going quit,”and true enough he never did.
Gerrit is survived by his wife Truus de Gooijer with whom he shared an incredible marriage lasting over seventy-four years, and eight children: Lydia (Henk) Wellen, Nout, Martijn (Marlou), Christiaan (Sylvia); Maria (Vince) Leonard; Devin (Shannon), Kristy (Marvin); Bert (Joy) de Gooijer; Travis(Jennifer), Lisa(Ryan), Curtis(Kerrie), Taylor(Tressa); John(Joyce)de Gooijer; Ed(Doreen)de Gooijer; Andrea(Brandon), Nicole; Henry(Jo-Anne)de Gooijer; Alex(Jaclyn), Matthew(Seija), Jill(Garret); Ron(Donna)de Gooijer, Kaitlin, Nikc(Jasmine), Brianna. Leah(Ryker); Carolyn(Brian)Gray ; Brendan, Skyler ; Andrew ; Kenton. Gerrit also leaves behind twenty-nine great-grandchildren, his sister Bep Wellen, sister-in-law Marietje Hertsenberg, both brothers-in-law Johan(Marietje )Pieper, Bernard(Joke )Pieper, sister-in-law Frieda Pieper along with dear friend Carole Thompson.
He is pre-deceased by father Bertus de Gooijer, mother Leida Busscher, both brother Kees(Bets )de Gooijer, sisters Anna(Antoon )Haverkort, Mina(Cornelius ) Helmich , Marie(Graads )Bruins, Corrie(Graads )Schlepers, Aida(Bernard )Beukers, both brothers-in-law Klaas Rakers & Jan Wellen, friends David Thompson plus many relatives, nieces & nephews, cousins & close friends.
Source link
Source link
