Carl Bastiaanssen

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CARL BASTIAASSEN

Peacefully at his home on November 30, 2013, Carl Bastiaanssen passed away in the presence of his family.

Carl was born on April 28, 1931, second eldest of nine children in Galder, North Brabant, The Netherlands. He grew up on a dairy farm, weathering both the great depression and the Second World War. His family was described as focused, hard-working and industrious. Carl attended the local school and returned home for his daily chores.

Carl immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1952 with the hopes of fulfilling his dream of farming. He took a job on a farm, and spent his winters in the woods of Ontario cutting wood and selling it in spring. Carl retuned to Holland on a business trip - the business of finding a wife! It was there that he met the love of his life, Hendrika. He convinced Riky to immigrate with him and they headed for Kitmat, British Columbia where they were married in 1958. Carl and Riky spent many years in Kitimat with Carl working as a foreman at Alcan Industries, still saving to buy a farm. With three kids in tow, Carl and Riky took that leap and bought a farm in Manitoba. Fifty years ago they began their farming life, growing crops and children and ending up with five girls and one boy. Carl was a natural dairyman, achieving numerous production awards. He was a hard-working, focused individual.

In the early 1970’s, Carl pursued another dream. He always wanted to fly, so in typical “can-do fashion”, he bought a plane and put in an airstrip on the farm. He was mostly a local flyer but he did take the occasional cross-country flight. It was a good day for Carl when he could get his chores done in time to fly before sunset. Flying continued to be a passion for Carl, taking a hiatus of a few years and enjoying his last flight only weeks before his passing.

In 1982 Carl sold his dairy, and settled in a much more relaxed routine. He kept the land and continued growing crops for 10 more years. Carl and Riky traveled the world together. In 1992, they began a new routine that would prove to be a cherished one. They started to go to Weslaco, Texas every winter. Carl and Riky enjoyed a whole new community there with many other snowbirds for the next 21 years. In 1994, their St. Pierre retirement meant building a house on the lot just west of their homestead. With a large lawn to cut and lots of wood in the back, Carl had enough things to keep him fulfilled, healthy and happy.

Retirement also allowed Carl to pursue his other passion, card playing. Carl always enjoyed a good card game with cherished friends. Carl will be remembered for his spark for life, his ability to get his work done efficiently, and his honest nature. He was pragmatic and practical and was respectful in how he communicated. He could be trusted, and was a good person to talk to when an issue arose. He loved to find the humour in things. He was a very disciplined person who didn’t complain. Finding solutions to problems came easily to him. He was a good conversationalist and friend, and an amazing spouse and father.

Carl is survived by his wife Riky, his daughter Diane (Tim) Yusishen, Lesly (Richard) Dawyduk, Charles Bastiaanssen, Elizabeth Simpson, Veronica (Kerry) Pawluski, and Tracey Bastiaanssen. He will also be missed by grandchildren Leeanne, Taylor, Keifer, Ricky, Carson, Alyssa, Annamieke, Ethan, Mathias and Avalene.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at St. Pierre Catholic Church, St. Pierre, Manitoba. A private interment will take place at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens.

If friends so desire, donations can be made to Palliative Care, c/o Southern Health/Santé Sud.

Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in The Carillon on Dec 02, 2013