In remembrance of Lieuwe Boersma, 98, who went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Lieuwe (Leo or Louis) was born in Marrum, Netherlands on Aug. 5, 1917 to Cornelis and Leviena Boersma.
He was married to Antje Halbertsma on May 13, 1942. They had three children, Sieberdina, Leviena, and Rienk.
Leo and family immigrated to Canada in May, 1950 to Winnipeg, Man. He worked for farms in Stonewall and Stony Mountain, Man. The family then moved to the Gibson homestead in Mather Township in Barwick, Ont.
Leo worked for J.A. Mathieu’s logging with horses and later Ontario Hydro in the winter months. They began milking cows and shipping milk to Lakeland and Clover Valley Dairies.
Leo was involved in helping Clover Valley Dairy to start up. The family really appreciated the neighbours’ help, especially the Harvey Hart family.
The family also were founding members of the Christian Reformed Church in Emo. They enjoyed fellowship there many years.
In 1969, the family moved to land south of Stratton, Ont. There, with the help of Antje and Rick, his son, they built a freestall dairy barn with a milking parlour, and later a house. They also built a silo to relieve the burden of putting up 12,000 plus square bales in the loft!
After working hard, Leo and Antje retired to Rainy River in 1985, where they enjoyed playing cards, visiting, and travelling.
Antje passed away in 1993 and Leo stayed in his home until 2011. He moved into an apartment, then later into LTC in Rainy River.
Leo and his family always felt that God had guided and helped them all along the way.
Leo is survived by his three children, Sieberdina Triggs, Leviena Klassen, and Rienk (Susan) Boersma; eight grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Elisabeth Soorsma of Winnipeg, Man., Margaret Boersma of Brampton, Ont., and Tina VanderVeen of San Jose, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
Leo was predeceased by his wife, Antje; brothers, Tjalling, Watse, and Tietes Boersma in the Netherlands; brothers-in-law, Syd VanderVeen and Leo Soorsma; and son-in-law, Conet Triggs.
Funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Rainy River Covenant Church, with Pastor Kors Pater officiating.
A time of fellowship with the family to follow after the service.
Burial will take place Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the Stratton Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Leo’s grandsons, Dennis Boersma, Matthew, Micheal, and Dwight Klassen, Esquire Triggs, and Davar Broeckert.
The honourary pallbearers will be Darryl Klassen, Troy Clink, John Camacho, John Wiersema, and John Esselink.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to The Gideon’s or 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
LIEUWE ‘LEO’ BOERSMA
