JOHN van den BRAND

Our sadness is mixed with the joy of a wonderful, sometimes hard but always very rich life well-lived.
Our dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, John van den Brand, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017.
Dad was born on Aug. 3, 1927 in the Netherlands. On May 20, 1952, he married our Mom, Josephine, and together they decided to move to Canada in 1954 to make a better life for their children.
After living for a short time in Selkirk, Man., they pursued their dream and bought the Shrumm farm north of Stratton, Ont. It was there that Mom and Dad worked so hard to make ends meet and to lovingly raise their ever-growing family of nine children.
For many years, Dad put his heart and soul into farming and he was a great farmer. After he retired from full-time farming, he continued to have horses and huge flower and vegetable gardens, as well as providing crop insurance to farmers throughout the district.
He loved travelling the district, chatting to farmers about the latest news, and getting to know their families even if no crop insurance was desired.
Dad’s greatest satisfaction came from raising nine children to become happy, productive people. Dad, you have taught us all so much and we will be forever grateful!
In retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed many years of card playing, dancing, and trips back to Holland to visit family and friends. They also enjoyed travelling to visit each of their children on a regular basis, but Dad always was happiest to be home having family visit them.
Dad is survived by nine children, Hannah (Bill), John (Shirley), Annette (Roger), Rene (Donna), Ed (Alex), Connie (Dave), Anita (Doug), Leona (Vern), and Yvonne (Allan). He also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Sister-in-law, Mary van den Brand, of Stratton, Ont. and brother-in-law, Peter van Hulten, in Holland also survive.
Dad was predeceased by an infant son, Jantjie, and all his brothers and sisters.
After our mother’s passing, Dad continued to live at the Golden Age Manor in Emo, Ont., then moving to Rainycrest in Fort Frances, Ont. for his final two years.
There he met a special friend and dear companion, Lil, and they shared many activities together. He never ceased enjoying the company of family and his friendships with all.
We will miss Dad very much but are so thankful to have had him as our father. Dad always was so positive and optimistic. He was a pleasure to visit with and appreciative of every small thing that was done for him.
We will try to follow in his footsteps but it will not be easy.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood, Ont., with a luncheon to follow in the church basement.
Interment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Stratton.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com