Nov 19, 1933 - Mar 13, 2018
On Tuesday, March 13, 2018 the Lord took home unto himself, his beloved child, our dearly loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, SJOUKJE HANSMA nee IDEMA.
Sjoukje was 84 years old when she passed away and was born in The Netherlands on November 19, 1933. She was born into a close-knit family and enjoyed loving relationships with her parents and two sisters.
Before marrying the love of her life, Jan Hansma, in 1956, she trained as a nurse and worked at the Diaconessen Ziekenhuis in Groningen, The Netherlands. In 1959, the couple immigrated to BC, Canada, along with their two eldest children, her parents, sisters and their husbands. Here, Jan and Sjoukje added six more children to their family. A
s a woman of faith with a large family, Sjoukje's life was centered around her church, her home and her children. Each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a great source of pride for her, and each one was equally loved and adored. She enjoyed knitting and knit many cherished items for her children and grandchildren. She loved flowers and plants, gardening and rainbows. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her large family.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Jan in 1997, with whom she is now reunited in glory, her mother Johanna (1988), father Hendrik (1996), grandson-in-law Dan (2011), daughter-in-law Donna (2015), brother-in-law Oedse (2005) and many members of her husband's family.
Sjoukje is survived by her eight children: Will (Wilma) of Armstrong, BC; Johanna (Steve) of Kentville, NS; Pete of Maple Ridge, BC; Theresa (Theresa) of Armstrong, BC; John (Maria) of Burnaby, BC; Brian (Gracia) of Maple Ridge, BC; Steve (Karol) of Armstrong, BC and Mary (John) of Armstrong, BC.
Twenty-five grandchildren: Wayne (Sharon), Stephanie (Shawn), Shawn (Melissa), Sandra (Rob), Michael (Alisha), John, Miranda (Ryan), Shara (Tim), David, David Wm (Katherine), Shelyse (Duane), Marina (Jay), Samantha (Steven), Kaylee (Jordan), Josh (Alessia), Brennen (Lydia), Lucas, Heather (David), Jeremy (Jerika), Trent, Shayne, Emily, Aspen, Trinity and Payton.
Thirty great-grandchildren: Jessica, Ava, Nathan, Austin, Wyatt, Dakota, Jared, Madison, William, Owen, Joanna, Sierra, Kassidy, Danae, Elena, Brooklyn, Clayton, Mylan, Makayla, Presley, Ashtyn, Ivy, Laina, Leyland, Rhett, Braxton, Myelle, Karter, Auckland and Benjamin.
Two sisters: Janny of Abbotsford, BC and Tineke (Dick) of Winnipeg, MB. Sisters-in-law: Greta of Chilliwack, BC and Dina of The Netherlands. Many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the East Hill Community Church (3605 - 12th Street, Vernon, BC).
Friends wishing to remember and tribute may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society or the BC SPCA Shuswap Branch.
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