ANNA van LEEUWEN

Anna van Leeuwen (nee Wiersema) passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Man. following a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Anna is survived by her children, Tom (Liz), Annette (Dave), Florence (Guy), Joyce, and Jim; grandchildren, Erin, Jason, Joyce, Laura, Tristan, Kaitlin, Starr, Stephanie, Natasha, Santana, Patrice, Brittney, and James; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She also leaves to mourn her brothers, John, Archie, Corrie, Eltjo, and Henry, and sisters, Annie, Bertha, Lottie, and Anneke, and their families.
Anna was predeceased by her husband, Bert; parents, Jan and Froukje Wiersema; brothers, Nick, Fietze, Harry, Louie, and Bernie; sister, Thea; and great-granddaughter, Miami.
Anna was born in Peize, Netherlands on Aug. 11, 1935. Anna’s family immigrated to Canada on April 1,1952 and she married Bert on Feb. 19, 1957.
They resided in Winnipeg until April of 1963, when they moved to Rainy River, Ont. to operate a dairy farm, and then owned Bert’s Restaurant for 10 years.
Anna worked at the Arctic Cat sewing factory, and as a custodian in the local schools until her retirement.
She loved camping with her family, fishing with Bert, and playing cards, Bingo, and bowling. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, fundraising, and volunteer activities.
Her door was always open, she made time for everyone, and no one ever left hungry. Everyone knew her as “Oma.”
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo, Ont., with Pastor John Vanderburgh officiating.
Honourary pallbearers were Mark Van Heyst, Betty Blight, Janet Wolanicki, and Terri Anne Lundgren.
A family interment will take place at later date.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Rainy River Health Centre or the Canadian Cancer Society c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com