Luke Van Paassen

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Luke Van Paassen announce his passing on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at the age of 88 years.

Dad was born on January 4, 1937 in the town of Wateringen, Zuid-Holland, to parents Kees and Cory (Van Veen) Van Paassen. Dad was the eldest of 4 siblings. Brothers Casey (Georgina Tomayose) Van Paassen, Hans Van Paassen and sister Margret (Harry) Ubben.

Dad immigrated to Canada, arriving in Montreal on October 25, 1956, then on to Aberdeen, Saskatchewan where he worked for a dairy farmer for a short time before getting to his goal of Alberta. Dad tried his hand at various jobs; he hauled milk for a dairy company in Lethbridge, installed milking equipment, worked for the Coop in Bow Island, Sugar Factory and John Deere in Taber. Dad even followed in his Dad’s footsteps in the Greenhouse business, owning them in Bow Island, Taber and Coaldale before deciding to start up a Bottle Depot and Recycling Centre in Coaldale, owner/operator until his retirement in 2002.

Dad met Mom (Helen Bouw) in Lethbridge and were married on November 21, 1959, having 4 children together. Neil, Carla, Barry and Linda. They divorced in 1977. Dad met Ann Erickson and were together until her passing in 2008. They spent a lot of time fishing, camping, vacationing in Hawaii, trips to Holland and spending time in beautiful Waterton.

Dad is survived by his brother Casey; children Carla (Darrell) Martens, Barry (Lynne) Van Paassen, Linda (Ben) Schmold; grandchildren Chris (Jolene) Martens, Kim (Marco) Slingerland, Ashley (Dan) DeBoer, Brittany (Chandler) Braun; great-grandchildren Brynn Martens, Dustin, Shane and Tiffany Slingerland, Brady, Logan and Addison De Boer, Charlie Singh, Sawyer and Lincoln Braun; niece and nephews Esther and David in Holland and Kevin Van Paassen and Kristy Maltby; as well as special life long friend Nico Van Luijk from Holland whom he enjoyed to skype with on a regular basis.

Dad was predeceased by his brother Hans; sister Margret and brother-in-law Harry; sister-in-law Georgina, Ann; special friends Roy and Jackie Brummond; son Neil Van Paassen; son-in-law Shane Cox and grandson Tyler Maerz.

As per Dad’s wishes, a private family gathering will be held.

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.