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HENDRIKUS VISCH (HENRY) (HENK)
Born: Nov 06, 1927
Date of Passing: Jan 28, 2021
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HENDRIKUS VISCH
Henry is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Kay; children, Carol, Barbara and Rob (Shawna); grandchildren, Ezra (Corrie), Erin, Desirae (Braedi), Nicole (Daniel), Carole (Derek), Kyle (Beth), Victoria, Elise; great-grandchildren, Ellamae, Jakob, Lucas, Izabel, Avery and Baby B; and his siblings, Ada and Makkie. Henry was predeceased by his siblings, Rina, Bea, Hermine, Lammert; and his son-in-law Victor Neudorf.
Henry was born in the Netherlands on November 6, 1927. He spent his early years in Oldebroek enjoying school and working in the family store. After high school, he went to Basel, Switzerland with his friend (and future brother-in-law) Theo Van Petegem, where he received his degree in Theology from St. Chrischona. After graduation, doors opened for further studies in Canada under the sponsorship of Ben and Mary Wall. In 1953, Henry graduated from Mennonite Brethren Bible College and afterward continued further studies at Waterloo College where he found his calling to become a teacher. After receiving his education degree, Henry taught for two years in Eganville, Ontario until he accepted the position of Vice Principal at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, moving on to River East Collegiate, and finally finishing his career as Vice Principal of John Pritchard School at the age of 55. Henry was a passionate teacher who loved engaging with his students.
It was at a curling event in Winnipeg where Henry met Kay Martens. In July 1959, they were married, and soon after were blessed with three children. The family enjoyed playing sports together and every year they packed the trailer for summer adventures. Henry loved teaching Sunday school whether it was at church or in the basement of their Glenwood home. Being an immigrant himself, Henry felt a desire to support other newcomers to Canada. Henry and Kay's fellowship group sponsored families from Vietnam and Iran. Henry dedicated time to teach English to newcomers. After church, the Visch family regularly hosted college students and others for lunch. It was not uncommon for the Visch table to have many guests on a Sunday.
After retiring, Henry and Kay travelled together, tenting and backpacking around the world. They were also invited to teach English at Lithuanian Christian College. When grandchildren came along, they stayed closer to home to support them in their school and sports activities. Henry was blessed with a loving group of close friends: Neil F., George, Art and Neil J., with whom he had a weekly bridge group. Henry was a kind and gentle man who lived his life in service to God. He had an open heart and a listening ear. He will be greatly missed.
We love you Dad.
A service will be held at Friends Funeral Service by invitation only on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. A livestream of the service can viewed at www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/10337 or go to www.friendsfs.ca to find the livestream link.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2021, Feb 06, 2021
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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My condolences to the entire Visch family! I fondly remember meeting in the basement on Glenwood Crescent. Opening up your home to teenagers to made us all feel welcome and wanting to go to Sunday school on a Sunday morning and not in church was slightly revolutionary. Thank you for creating a great impression on a young man right on through to the very end. God bless you all! - Posted by: David Unruh (Friend) on: Feb 11, 2021
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I was lucky to have Mr Visch as my "home room" and History teacher (Grade 12) at River East Collegiate. He made the history lessons so vivid as if you were there too. RIP Mr Visch. - Posted by: Cliff D Sulyma (Student) on: Feb 07, 2021
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My sincere condolences to you all. Just a memory... I want to tell you that Mr. Visch or “Hank” later on as he told us to call him, was my favourite Sunday School teacher. He taught us five teenage girls up in the turret of Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church or out in late spring in Elmwood Cemetery. He let us be girls having fun and yet always with an amazing lesson of life. He was part of the family there at Elmwood that helped raise into Godly Women. Thank you Kay for supporting him in his calling as a teacher. Much love Lori - Posted by: Lori (Kliewer) Fehr (Former student) on: Feb 06, 2021
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Our sincerest condolences to Kay and the family. It is so sad to lose a loved one but the memories will live on in our hearts. We have very fond memories of curling together on the same team for many years. Henk always had a smile on his face which inspired everyone. Will miss him. - Posted by: Henry & Cora Loewen (Friends) on: Feb 05, 2021
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As John said above, Mr Visch was a great teacher at MBCI and we loved seeing him and Kay at the reunion in 2017. He was the curling team coach when MBCI represented Manitoba at the Canadian school curling competition. He was our English teacher, and a very thorough one at that. My condolences to Kay, Carol, Barbara and Rob and Shawna and your families. - Posted by: Fred Rademaker (Former student) on: Feb 05, 2021
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Henk ( Mr Visch ) was one of my favorite teachers at MBCI. I had the joy of sharing with him at our 55th Reunion in Winnipeg in the fall of 2017. He had a great interest in following his many students as they pursued life and always had questions and an encouraging word. A life well lived. "We sorrow but not like those without hope". John Wiebe ( now in Kelowna ) - Posted by: John Wiebe (Student) on: Feb 05, 2021
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Even though it has been a great number of years since I was a student at John Pritchard school. I remember what a kind and decent gentleman Mr. Visch was. - Posted by: Kim (Former student at John Pritchard school) on: Feb 05, 2021