Obituary of Hendrika Alida Lutke-Schipholt
Hendrika Alida Lutke-Schipholt (Henny) was born March 1, 1932 in Hoorn, Netherlands to Cornelis Schoen and Elisabeth Wagemaker. She was the second youngest with two brothers and a sister. She lived through World War II during the German occupation and was amongst those who nearly starved during the winter of 1943-44. As a child, she loved school, playing the piano and exceled at gymnastics.
Henny met the love of her life, Harry, when Henny’s older brother brought Harry home for a visit. Henny was 16 and Harry was 19. They immigrated to Canada in 1951. Harry went first and Henny followed three months later. Before leaving, Henny’s father gave her money should she change her mind but Henny knew that would not happen. They were married in December of 1951 in Fort Erie, Ontario. A funny story about that day: Harry had borrowed a nearly new Dodge car from a friend to use on his honeymoon, 17 kms away in Niagara Falls. Unfortunately at Chambers Corners, he pulled out in front of another car by mistake and totaled the Dodge, ending up with $2500 bill which would be around $26,000 today.
The first years in Canada were a struggle. They lived in a one room house with a curtain to separate the bedroom. They tried many different avenues to make a living in Canada; their hard work began to pay off and they bought a farm in Sherkston, Ontario. In 1953, they were blessed with a daughter, Peggy, and then a son, Ralph, in 1956. Ralph certainly remembers all of the hard work done on the farm in Sherkston; it was called Perry’s Berries and was 88 acres with lots of fruit trees, strawberry fields and berry bushes. Harry decided that he would try raising all types of animals there even while holding down a night shift job at the nickel plant. Henny milked cows, fed horses, pigs, sheep, and chickens and at one time 300 rabbits. Henny and Peggy would stack bales on the dump trucks while Ralph drove the truck and Harry threw them up. Henny sold milk and eggs in town delivering them in a BMW Isseta with one door in the front. Henny was very industrious and worked hard to make most of Harry’s ideas work.
The family traded the farm for an acreage in Bethel in the late 60s. They started a Datsun dealership and Henny learned bookkeeping from a friend. In 1973, they lost their daughter, Peggy, in a tragic car accident which set their lives in a different direction. Henny and Harry coped to a degree by burying themselves in work, building 2 successful Datsun dealerships, a Nissan dealership as well as a Harley Davidson franchise.
Around 1986, Harry found a buyer for the dealerships and started to snowbird to Florida with Henny. She loved living in Florida; the years spent there were some of the best years of her life she always said. Henny assisted Harry with his lifelong hobby of racing pigeons and they became members of the Gulf Coast Pigeon Racing Club in Springhill, Florida. They won many races due to her diligence and Harry became a top flyer in the sunshine state.
Henny loved entertaining, gardening, dancing, swimming, golfing, and especially loved riding her bicycle, which she did well into her 80s. She also enjoyed volunteering and was a palliative care volunteer in Florida. Henny was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary where she made many good friends and loved going on trips with the ladies, even taking one to New York. She was famous for her lemon meringue pies everywhere she went. She loved the colour white, angels, elephants and had a large collection of trinkets and photos.
In spring of 2012, the couple returned to Canada due to Harry’s declining health. They
were married 61 years when Harry passed away in 2012. Ralph convinced Henny in the fall of 2012 to live near him and his family in Peace River, Alberta.. She resided at Heritage Towers in Peace River from 2012-2015. After suffering a fall in 2015, she moved to Stonebrook in Grimshaw.
Henny loved her grandchildren. They have many fond memories of when Oma came to visit and loved visiting her in Ontario and Florida. Over the last few years she was blessed with three great grandsons, Everet, Krystian and Emmett. Henny made friends easily and had many. She was such a beautiful lady, always dressed to the nines, who made everyone smile and was always up for the activities at Stonebrook.
She was predeceased by her daughter Peggy and husband, Harry. Henny is survived by
her son, Ralph and daughter-in-law Pam, Peace River, Alberta three grandchildren, Ashley of Osoyoos, BC. Krystle of Peace River, Alberta and Devon, Grande Prairie, Alberta. Also, three
great grandsons, Everet, Krystian and Emmett, extended family and many friends.
Rest in Peace Mom (Oma), heaven needed a special angel and it’s very obvious why he chose you.
Henny passed away March 19, 2019. A celebration of her life was held on March 24 at
Stonebrook Retirement Home where she resided for the last 4 years.
Visitation will be held at the DAVIDSON FUNERAL HOME, 135 Clarence Street, Port Colborne, Ontario on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 7-9 pm. Graveside service will at Overholt Cemetery, Port Colborne on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Recreation Therapy Department, Stonebrook Retirement Home, 4902-59 St., Grimshaw, Alberta, T0H 1W0. Online guest register and condolences are available at www.davidsonfuneralhome.com
Send Flowers
Print
Add Condolence
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hendrika
Alida
Lutke-Schipholt 1932 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Port Colborne, Province: Ontario