Obituary for Jan Meinders
Jan (John) Meinders
BORN: Dec 08, 1932
DATE OF PASSING: May 11, 2021
On December 8, 1932 in Tweede Exloermond, The Netherlands, Jan Meinders was born to Hendrik and Willemke (Wind) Meinders (deceased). Jan was the middle child in a family of 11 children. His siblings, Wina, Sini, Tina, Geert, and Wim entered and left this world before him. His younger siblings, most of which still live in Holland, are going to miss their brother: Jay (Marie) in California, Betty (Henk), Tineke, Henk (Eta) in Winnipeg and Bernard (Loes). Last year, when his brother Geert passed away, he said, “I guess I’m next”. He did not know it at that point but his time as the eldest sibling was to be short and on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Jan Meinders passed from this life into the next to receive his eternal reward with Jesus at the blessed age of 88 after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.
At the young age of 20, Jan decided to leave his homeland and immigrate to Canada. After a weeklong ‘cruise’ across the ocean, John landed in Halifax on May 7th, 1953. From there he boarded a train to Winnipeg where he would work and live for the rest of his life. In 1960, he married Johanna (Annie) Koene, and they would be blessed to share 61 years of marriage together. God, in His great love and planning, brought three children into their home. Allison (Art), Martin (Helena) and Erik (Karen) feel extremely blessed to have John as their father and will miss him greatly. Aaron, BethAnn, Bradley, Hannah, Leanna, Katrina, Ryan, Natasha, Carmen (Chris) and Kai are really going to miss their Opa and his great sense of humour. He also leaves his siblings listed earlier and his in-laws: Siet, Gerda (John), Tina, Maria, Elsie (Bill), Terry (Dorothy) who will miss him dearly. When you were born into a family of 11 children and marry a woman who comes from a family of 7 children, the list of nephews and nieces who will miss their Uncle John is too long to list.
During his lifetime, John worked hard in many different fields. He worked as a bus driver for a short time before spending many years at R & D concrete with his partner Derk Folkers. He ended his working career with MTS where he received several awards for not missing one day of work.
John and Annie were blessed to enjoy over 20 years of retirement together. It is a good thing John enjoyed driving because he and Annie took many trips to see their children and grandchildren when they lived in Michigan, Alberta, Ontario and BC. He loved to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as they drove together.
Faith in Jesus Christ was an essential part of John’s life. He was an active member of College Ave and Covenant Christian Reformed Churches for over 65 years serving as an elder and deacon for many years. He served on the board of Hope Centre and in retirement enjoyed being a part of Men’s Breakfast. As he got older and standing became difficult, he looked forward to sitting with his friends around the table during fellowship time after church drinking his coffee and the special cookies made for them.
In recent years, John faced health challenges which affected his mobility. But, in the past 6 months, he faced his hardest battle when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. John accepted his illness with faith and courage.
Music was one of John’s greatest loves. The organ had a place of honor in his home for many years. As he declined in health, music became one of his greatest joys and brought peace as he listened to hymns and organ music. Although, he was often too sick for visitors, he always welcomed his brother Henk’s visits where they would listen to all sorts of Dutch music together and reminisce.
As a family, we wish to express our thankfulness to all the people who have supported us throughout this difficult journey. The care John received from the Palliative Care Unit and ward in St Boniface was outstanding and made this difficult time so much more bearable. All the texts, phone calls, cards, meals, rides and visits were such a blessing to our family. The prayer shawl made for him by the ladies in Covenant CRC was always around his shoulders and was a visible reminder of all the prayers surrounding us over the last 9 months. You will never know how much your love and support meant to us. Special thanks to Henk who visited with Dad daily in the hospital. It was such a comfort to know you were there when we, as children couldn’t be.
Jan's remains will be cremated and further service arrangements will be made when all who loved him can safely gather together.
Graveside service will take place Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at Historic Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2373 Main Street, Winnipeg.
The service will be livestreamed, and available at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FirstRefChurch?app=desktop
or:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81069308424?pwd=NWNOa0VyRTQ2QjcxNlVqNUhZeFFDQT09
Meeting ID: 810 6930 8424
Passcode: 1234
BORN: Dec 08, 1932
DATE OF PASSING: May 11, 2021
On December 8, 1932 in Tweede Exloermond, The Netherlands, Jan Meinders was born to Hendrik and Willemke (Wind) Meinders (deceased). Jan was the middle child in a family of 11 children. His siblings, Wina, Sini, Tina, Geert, and Wim entered and left this world before him. His younger siblings, most of which still live in Holland, are going to miss their brother: Jay (Marie) in California, Betty (Henk), Tineke, Henk (Eta) in Winnipeg and Bernard (Loes). Last year, when his brother Geert passed away, he said, “I guess I’m next”. He did not know it at that point but his time as the eldest sibling was to be short and on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Jan Meinders passed from this life into the next to receive his eternal reward with Jesus at the blessed age of 88 after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.
At the young age of 20, Jan decided to leave his homeland and immigrate to Canada. After a weeklong ‘cruise’ across the ocean, John landed in Halifax on May 7th, 1953. From there he boarded a train to Winnipeg where he would work and live for the rest of his life. In 1960, he married Johanna (Annie) Koene, and they would be blessed to share 61 years of marriage together. God, in His great love and planning, brought three children into their home. Allison (Art), Martin (Helena) and Erik (Karen) feel extremely blessed to have John as their father and will miss him greatly. Aaron, BethAnn, Bradley, Hannah, Leanna, Katrina, Ryan, Natasha, Carmen (Chris) and Kai are really going to miss their Opa and his great sense of humour. He also leaves his siblings listed earlier and his in-laws: Siet, Gerda (John), Tina, Maria, Elsie (Bill), Terry (Dorothy) who will miss him dearly. When you were born into a family of 11 children and marry a woman who comes from a family of 7 children, the list of nephews and nieces who will miss their Uncle John is too long to list.
During his lifetime, John worked hard in many different fields. He worked as a bus driver for a short time before spending many years at R & D concrete with his partner Derk Folkers. He ended his working career with MTS where he received several awards for not missing one day of work.
John and Annie were blessed to enjoy over 20 years of retirement together. It is a good thing John enjoyed driving because he and Annie took many trips to see their children and grandchildren when they lived in Michigan, Alberta, Ontario and BC. He loved to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as they drove together.
Faith in Jesus Christ was an essential part of John’s life. He was an active member of College Ave and Covenant Christian Reformed Churches for over 65 years serving as an elder and deacon for many years. He served on the board of Hope Centre and in retirement enjoyed being a part of Men’s Breakfast. As he got older and standing became difficult, he looked forward to sitting with his friends around the table during fellowship time after church drinking his coffee and the special cookies made for them.
In recent years, John faced health challenges which affected his mobility. But, in the past 6 months, he faced his hardest battle when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. John accepted his illness with faith and courage.
Music was one of John’s greatest loves. The organ had a place of honor in his home for many years. As he declined in health, music became one of his greatest joys and brought peace as he listened to hymns and organ music. Although, he was often too sick for visitors, he always welcomed his brother Henk’s visits where they would listen to all sorts of Dutch music together and reminisce.
As a family, we wish to express our thankfulness to all the people who have supported us throughout this difficult journey. The care John received from the Palliative Care Unit and ward in St Boniface was outstanding and made this difficult time so much more bearable. All the texts, phone calls, cards, meals, rides and visits were such a blessing to our family. The prayer shawl made for him by the ladies in Covenant CRC was always around his shoulders and was a visible reminder of all the prayers surrounding us over the last 9 months. You will never know how much your love and support meant to us. Special thanks to Henk who visited with Dad daily in the hospital. It was such a comfort to know you were there when we, as children couldn’t be.
Jan's remains will be cremated and further service arrangements will be made when all who loved him can safely gather together.
Graveside service will take place Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at Historic Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2373 Main Street, Winnipeg.
The service will be livestreamed, and available at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FirstRefChurch?app=desktop
or:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81069308424?pwd=NWNOa0VyRTQ2QjcxNlVqNUhZeFFDQT09
Meeting ID: 810 6930 8424
Passcode: 1234