Bert (Gijsbertus) van Donkersgoed, formerly of Listowel, passed away Saturday morning, July 4, 2020 at his home in Waterloo at the age of 87 years.
He is predeceased by his wife Grace (Geesje van Dijk) and their son Luke. He is survived by his children, Gerald and Laurie of Surrey, BC, Christine and Frank of Sherwood Park, AB and Bernie and Dan of Rochester Hills, MI as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dad came to Canada in 1948 from The Netherlands and settled with his family in Brandon. MB. He soon met mom and they married in 1954. They raised 4 children, moving to Brussels, Ontario in 1972.
Dad worked hard for his family, and the school of life took over when his formal education stopped. He was an avid learner. Many life lessons and problem solving occurred with his friends at McDonalds in Listowel. Mom would have been so proud of the way dad made a conscience and intentional decision to be happy and gracious and positive after her passing 5 years ago.
The sparkle in his eye was always there, as was the willingness to sit down and have a visit. In recent months he suffered from the parallel disease of Covid – Confinement Disease. His iPad and phone kept him in touch with the world, but couldn’t replace the human contact he enjoyed so much. Special thanks to his niece and her husband – Betty and Peter Neufeld – for all the love and care they showered on dad and mom.
Visitation will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Tuesday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., where a private family funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 8th at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Don McCallum officiating. Interment in Cranbrook Cemetery.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors must schedule a time by clicking on the RSVP button under « Visitation Details ». No one will be permitted at the visitation without a scheduled time. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has mandated that everyone attending must wear a mask.
Memorial donations to the Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Terry Fox Foundation if so desired would be appreciated, and may be made through the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
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Saturday July 4th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bert van Donkersgoed Saturday July 4th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Listowel, Province: Ontario