JAN Van Der KLOK

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JAN Van Der KLOK After a courageous fight with cancer, showing us dignity and enormous strength, Dad left us peacefully March 20, 2001. Born in Amsterdam on February 9, 1925, Dad showed his keen sense of craftsmanship from an early age. Although Dad was an electrician by trade, he was skilled in woodworking, metalwork, gardening and 3D creations. Dad worked in the construction field until he joined C.N. Rail in 1964 and retired from there in 1988. Everything had to be done to the best of his ability, no matter how long that would take to do. Dad never expected anything to be given to him but he always gave to others, wouldnt say anything to harm anyone and always put his family first. He always enjoyed a game of cards, win or lose that didnt matter, what did matter was the fellowship that came with playing with friends and family. Although life didnt always seem to treat him fairly, Dad would make the most of what he was handed and rarely grumbled. The Second World War saw Dad going through the toughest time of his life yet he would remind people that this was when he had met our Mom. Together with their young family they arrived in Winnipeg in 1956 and made this their permanent home. After remodelling several homes both in Holland and in Winnipeg, Mom and Dad realized their dream to build a home from the ground up in 1975. They did this together, contracting out only the concrete and stone work. Dad travelled around Canada, the States and back to Holland several times throughout his life to maintain his relationship with family and friends but Winnipeg was home and he was proud of that. Mom, Mary, predeceased him in 1989. He leaves behind Gerrit and Beverly, Susanne and Garry Sulkers; grandchildren, Collin (Paula) and Susanna (Jelle) Adriaanne and Ijdella and their mother Judith. Great-grandsons, Nathan and Eden (both of whom gave him much joy and always caused a twinkle in his eyes). Sister Riek Bekkering; brother Hilbert; sisters-in-law, Wil Sieveking, Truus (Jan) Brouwers, Suus (Piet) Ferwerda, Annie v.d. Klok and Christien v.d. Klok; numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom had a very special place in his heart. Heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. I. Mohammed, Yvette; Dr. F. Crow, Dr. P. Daeninuk, Christine, all the dedicated staff at Palliative Care Unit, St. Boniface Hospital; Lorraine, Maureen, Helen, Sandra and all the staff at Selkirk Community Health Office, together they all helped to make Dads wish of staying home as long as possible a reality. Thanks also to all the family and friends that came to play cards, visit, bring some of Dads favourite foods and helped to look after him, you made his last months active and enjoyable ones. We have many precious memories of Dad because of all these special people. Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy. Interment at a later date at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dads memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 100 Olivia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, or Palliative Care Unit in care of St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation, 409 Tache Ave., Room D1 003, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. Arrangements entrusted to Klassen Funeral Chapel, 338-0331.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2001