"My only comfort in life and death is that I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ."
The Lord took unto himself our mother and grandmother ANN (SYKE) BEINTEMA on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the age of 103 years, two months shy of her 104th birthday.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters Helen (John) Bekkering of Lethbridge, Barbara (Gerry) Vanderwal of Coaldale, Evelyn of Calgary, and Margaret of Lethbridge; eight grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Dirk; her parents; five siblings; and two grandchildren.
Ann was born in Drachten, Netherlands, on December 12, 1922. She met Dirk, the love of her life, just before he went to fight in the Indonesian War, and they were married in 1951. They emigrated to Canada two weeks after their wedding. They travelled two weeks by ship to Quebec, Canada (she endured seasickness); then they travelled by train to New Westminster, BC, where their uncle lived and they found work digging potatoes on a farm. After three months, they moved to Telkwa, BC, where Dirk worked in the sawmill, and they connected with other Dutch immigrant families. In 1953 they settled in Lethbridge, AB and stayed to raise their family. Dirk learnt the trades of welding and construction.
We are thankful for the years of loving dedication that she gave us all, as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She left us with many good memories and laughter as well as sewn quilts, doll clothes, crocheted afghans and the taste of Dutch baking. She was actively involved in her church and the choir. She loved to grow flowers, camp, play volleyball, bowl and go for walks. After Dirk passed away in 1989, she travelled with family and friends to BC, Eastern Canada, Oregon, Vermont, Grand Canyon, Alaska, Hawaii, Holland and Israel. She volunteered for years in the canteen at Southland Assisted Living — where Good Sam’s is presently located and where she resided the past five years.
We thank the staff from Good Samaritan’s Park Meadows and Columbia Assisted Living for the wonderful and loving care she received the last 16 years of her life.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH, 1100 - 40 Ave N, Lethbridge, Alberta. A private family graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Rehoboth, A Christian Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Alberta, Box 1312, Coaldale, Alberta TOK OLO.