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Gerrit went peacefully to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at AgeCare Midnapore,
Calgary, AB. He was born August 21, 1932 to Gerrit and Aalbertha Top at Putten, Gelderland,
Holland and was the third of four children. After six weeks in army training in 1952, he received
his papers to immigrate to Canada where he was sponsored by the Donkersgoed family at Iron
springs, AB. There he met Jenny Oldenburger at the Iron Springs Christian Reformed Church.
They married in April 1960 and had six children.
His first years in Canada were spent working in the sugar beet fields around Iron Springs before
going on to work building elevators with the Alberta Wheat Pool in a variety of locations in the
province. He and Jenny began their life on a small dairy farm outside of Turin, AB until 1969.
From there they moved to Parkland, AB for a year and then settled on a farm at Cayley, AB
where he developed another dairy operation and farmed there until 2004. He semi-retired, built
a house and shop just outside High River where he still had beef cattle. In July 2021, he and
Jenny moved into town until the time of his passing.
Gerrit had a lifelong love for farming, working with cows and the land which he never quit doing
until the last two years or so. He loved to travel throughout the world with Jenny and they were
able to go to many locations in Europe, South Africa, Central America, Mexico and Canada. His
favourite activities included camping and Sunday afternoon drives where he could appreciate
the beauty of the world God has blessed us with. Over the years he was involved in church,
Pro-Life, High River Rotary Club, Foothills M.D. as a counsellor for 9 years, curling,
woodworking, trees and landscaping and many other interests.
He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Jenny and 6 children: Betty (Hank Klooster),
Rocky Mountain House, AB, Jack (Angie), Blackie, AB, Garett (Sherry), Brant, AB, Vera, High
River, AB, Audrey (Stephen Fitzpatrick), Edmonton, AB and Alan (Cristin), Cayley, AB. He is
also survived by his grandchildren Jenna, Mark, Kara-Lynn, Jasmine, Alex, Trey, Bryce, Fenya,
Glory, Micheal, Briely, Austin and Dominic as well as 8 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Gerritt and Aalbertha, his brothers Heimen and Henk in
Holland, his brother, Wim, from South Africa, one sister-in-law, four brothers-in-law as well as a
number of his adopted Donkersgoed family members.
A celebration of Gerrit’s life will be held at the High River Christian Reformed Church at 2:00
p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alberta Life Issues Educational
Society (ALIES) – The Back Porch – alies.ca/donate
To send flowers to the family of Gerrit, please
visit our floral store.
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August 21 1932
March 23 2023
Death notice for the town of: High-River, Province: Alberta
death notice Gerrit Top August 21 1932
March 23 2023
obituaries notice Gerrit Top August 21 1932
March 23 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gerrit Top August 21 1932
March 23 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
