Mar 24, 1932 - Feb 2, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family announce the peaceful passing of Jakob (Joe) De Wind on February 2, 2018 after a short battle with cancer.
Joe, as he was called by friends and family in Canada, was born and raised in Borger, Netherlands. He moved to Canada in 1951 to be reunited with his long time sweetheart Christijntje (Christina) Van Assen. They were married in 1954 spending 59 yrs in Edmonton and Sherwood Park, Alberta. In 2013 they moved to Vernon, British Columbia joining their youngest daughter in the beautiful Okanagan valley.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 63 yrs, Christina, their seven children; Joan, John, Alberta (Tom), Bianca (Brad), Edith (David), Pete (Joanne), Henry (Shannon), their 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Jakob was predeceased by his parents, Jan and Albertje de Wind, his 5 brothers Lammert (Agnes), Gerrit (Riet), Hank (Ge), Fritz (Wietzke), Albert, and 3 sisters Gre (Gerrit), Fokje "Faye" (Gienus), and Gerda (Gerrit) of the Netherlands and South Africa.
Joe was a gifted organist playing for various churches, first in Holland and then in Canada, and was a member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. It truly was a passion he loved to share. Joe was very personable and welcomed everyone into his life. He loved people and made many dear friends. He was a faithful believer in Christ serving in the ministries of King Edward Park Church of Christ, Sherwood Park Alliance, Transport for Christ ministry and Coldstream Christian Church. He will be dearly missed by all.
Thank you to our many friends and family who have been such a great support through these last months of our dad's life. We are ever grateful to each of you. The family also extends a sincere thank you to Dr. Werner Schuch and Dr. Denis Lavoie and staff for their expertise and care particularly the last 8 months, as well as the staff and volunteers of the North Okanagan Hospice Society for their wonderful care and compassion to all of us while our dad was in their care.
A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Coldstream Christian Church, 9904 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream. A service will also be held at the Sherwood Park Alliance Church, February 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm, 1011Clover Bar Road, Sherwood Park, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the North Okanagan Hospice Society 3506 - 27th Ave Vernon, BC V1T 1S4 or DVM Bible Camp c/o 9904 Kalamalka Road Coldstream, BC V1B 1P4. Welcome home, Dad!