Trijntje "Tina" Bouwsema

Trijntje (Tina) Bouwsema was born on December 30, 1930, on the family farm in Stitswerd, the Netherlands and lived there until age 20, when she emigrated to Canada with her family. She passed peacefully into the eternal presence of Jesus on October 6, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

Mom was the eighth child in eight years in her family and her early years were spent playing, learning, helping on the family farm and enjoying activities with her nine siblings. She talked about feeling safe even in the war years because of so much family around her. Mom also told a story of her enjoyment, in quiet moments, of sitting with her back against a tree trunk, looking up at the rustling leaves. Education was important to her parents; she was a good student and completed grade 12 in The Netherlands.

She later attended post-secondary education in Calgary, Alberta and deepened her romance with Thies (Tim) Bouwsema. Affordable weekly dates of coffee and a piece of pie and a walk were enjoyed by them both. On other days, Mom would sit at the roadside, waving at Dad as he drove home from his school day, on his way to his evening job. Some evenings, she would visit with him at his work. They were married on July 29, 1955. Mom had a brief career in office administration until she and Dad started their family. Later she put her office skills to work in the family business; Subway Gas and Oil (renamed Subway Automotive after expansion). Dad predeceased her on June 24, 2019.

Mom loved Jesus and all of us have memories of Bible stories and many prayers at meals and bedtime. She also gave backrubs to send us off to sleep. Mom left a wonderful legacy of faith as she nurtured her children and grandchildren. Some of us had the privilege of participating in Bible studies with Mom. She was a long-time member and supporter of Maranatha Christian Reformed Church and Immanuel Christian School, as well as many other Christian causes.

Mom knew how to love people well. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, Oma, and friend, making sure to spend time in conversation and activities with each person. We have our special memories of Mom reading books to us, making jigsaw puzzles together, dips in the washtub on the front lawn as youngsters and making trips to Park Lake to cool off on hot summer days, and playing table games. Birthday parties at our home were a highlight for us, our friends, and the neighbourhood children. Her children and grandchildren were nurtured with books, puzzles, and games, and enjoyed racing down the wheelchair ramp as youngsters, going to garage sales, and exploring the toy cupboards. As well, Mom had a vegetable garden and we learned to hoe, harvest, and prepare the vegetables for meals. Mom would line up children and grandchildren for turns with the “bonen molen” as the string beans were sliced thinly.

Mom volunteered for many years in the Lethbridge community. She and her friend Ann Bosker delivered Meals on Wheels for 35 years and Mom was seen weekly at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Store in North Lethbridge for over 20 years until she retired when the store moved its location.

Mom lived out her last years at Elim Village, where she enjoyed and appreciated her community of many friends, the staff, plus the Community Home Care staff as she neared the end of her life. She was blessed to be served her meals and was so pleased to give up cooking!

Mourning Tina’s loss are her loving children Patricia (Dave) Gregory, Linda Herbert (Ed deYoung), Bruce (Rita) Bouwsema, Barry (Darlene) Bouwsema, Gloria Kinsella (Harvey Rindfliesch). Loving grandchildren Dan (Stephanie) Gregory, Christy (Dale) Czarnecki, Tyler Herbert (Sheena Campbell), Evan Herbert, Mercedes deYoung, Joel Herbert, Timothy (Kate) Bouwsema, Cheryl Bouwsema, Mitchell Bouwsema, Melissa Bouwsema, Joshua (Jenna) Kinsella, Alexis (Chris) Williams, Rachel (Eric) Weber, Michelle (Braden) Kerr. Mom enjoyed praying for and meeting each of her preschool great grandchildren; Harper Gregory, Madison Gregory, Malgia Kinsella, Clayton Weber and newborn Thomas Herbert.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Jaap (Jacob) and Pietertje (Pearl) Oudman, siblings and their spouses John and Ann Oudman, Arie and Leny Oudman, Hilda and Bill Zuidhof, Homer and Betty Oudman, Maria and Walter Smith, Jennie and John Koning, Corrie and Stan Kimm, Pearl and Dirk Alting, and Coby Donkerbroek plus son-in-law Tom Herbert and nieces and nephews Jaap Oudman, Osborn Smith, Joey Bouwsema, Frank Donkerbroek, and Margaret TeVelde. She was also predeceased by her in-laws Harm and Angenietje Bouwsema, Wouter Koning, Annie and Harry vanBolhuis, and Sylvia Bouwsema.

Mom is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren mentioned above, in-laws Albert Donkerbroek in Taber Alberta, Tina Koning in France and Idzerd (Ed) Bouwsema in Oregon USA, and numerous nephews and nieces and cousins in Canada, the USA, France, and the Netherlands.

Family and friends are invited to a meet and greet at 7:00 p.m. on October 11 at the Lethbridge Maranatha Christian Reformed Church.

A private family-only graveside service was held at the Mountain View cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 12 at the Maranatha Christian Reformed Church 260 McGill Blvd., West Lethbridge Alberta with Pastor Jim Zondervan officiating. If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us on Livestream. The link is found on the Maranatha Church website.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lethbridge Streets Alive Mission in Mom’s name.