It is with sadness we announce the passing of Jacob Van Zyl, who passed away in Calgary on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at the age of 89.

Jacob lived in Lethbridge for the last 31 years with his wife Anna who passed away in 2018. Jacob and Anna attended the Maranatha Christian Reform Church during this time and enjoyed worshipping with other believers in Jesus. Jacob regularly wrote a short piece for the Lethbridge Herald community/faith page with focus on regular life and the world and how it all relates to God and his love for us. Jacob and Anna loved the mountains, especially Waterton Park.

Jacob was born in Prieska, South Africa and grew up with his brother and two sisters. His parents were farmers. After high school a local farmer gave him a no-interest loan to study to become a pastor. He met his wife Anna at university, and they loved each other until their deaths. Jacob also studied psychology and worked most of his time in South Africa at an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center run by the church. There he could combine faith and psychology to treat those in need.

When Jacob was younger, he enjoyed weightlifting, working on his car and going to the beach. In later years his passion was photography, especially birds and flowers.

Jacob leaves behind his son Karel, Karel’s wife Theresa and two grandchildren, Meaghan and Riley.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anna.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd. W, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Memorial donations may be made to Streets Alive in Lethbridge, Alberta www.streetsalive.ca