GERTRUDE VAN LEEUWEN (HARRIS)

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GERTRUDE VAN LEEUWEN
(nee HARRIS)
December 5, 1922 - February 2, 2020

God gave to us a precious gift
A gift beyond compare
He gave to us a Mother
Of love and tender care...

On Sunday, February 2, Gertrude van Leeuwen left her earthly home to join her beloved husband Bernard, and son Ben, as well as other family members who preceded her to heaven. She was 97 years old.
One of 10 children, Gertrude was born in Manitoba, and enjoyed the wonders of nature and rural life throughout her childhood on the family farm, later moving to Winnipeg. There, she attended and became a lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church, where she met and married the love of her life - Bernard van Leeuwen - a handsome Dutchman who had immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands. Together they forged a beautiful, fulfilling life replete with eight children, a home filled with precious family memories, and a strong spiritual bond with the Lord and their church.
Gertrude was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a devout Christian and the center of our world, our role model. Indeed, her life was a living example of Ephesians 4:32 - "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ."
Left to cherish Gertrude's memory are her children: Gerry (Cindy), Jacquie; Rita, Brad (Membi), Larry, Leonard (Audrey) and Bernadette. She will also be deeply missed by her many grandchildren: Curtis (Laura), Tiffany, Kendell (Thom), Kelsey (Michael), Mia, Mandy (Chris), Ava, Kelly, Lindsay (Cam), Amber (Jeff), Trevor (Crystal) and Steve; great-grandchildren: Ivan, Keagan, Lux, Caleb, Mya, Zoe, Mielah, Brynn, Harper, Harrison, Lily, Charlotte, Tiberius, Johanna and Zaya; and the last of her surviving siblings - brother John (Trudy); sisters-in-law, Teenie, Ina, Willie and Adriana, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the staff at Donwood Manor, who not only loved and cared for Gertrude for the past 10 years, but also shared our tears upon her passing.
A celebration of Gertrude's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 7 at Covenant Church, 653 Knowles Avenue.
To leave an online tribute, visit Friends Funeral Service online at: friendsfs.ca or call 204-339-5555.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2020