Obituary of van NIEKERK – William

July 2, 1918 – December 12, 2010 I was born on July 2nd, 1918 in Holland. I served in the Dutch Army during the war and was active in the Dutch underground. In 1945 I married my lovely wife Miep and our two daughters Nancy and Joan were born in Leiden, Holland. Our daughter Pauline was born in London, Ontario and our son Pieter was born in Calgary. Nancy lives in Vernon, BC and is married to Al Vince. They have two children Alfy and Melinda and have three grandchildren. Joan lives in Calgary and is married to Malcolm Smith. They have two children Erin and Trevor and have two grandchildren. Pauline lives in Vernon, BC, and is married to Rick Monahan. Pauline has two boys, Nolan and Matthew and has two grandchildren. Our son Pieter is married to Antonella Pierracci. They have three boys, Jordan, Devon and Zachary. In 1951 we immigrated to Canada and lived in London, ON for three years. In 1954 we moved to Calgary and I started working for Electrical Contracting and Machinery and worked for that company for twenty seven years, until my retirement in 1981. The Lord has been good to us. Immigrating to Canada was the most important step in our life. Thanks to good neighbours, good friends, my colleagues at EC & M, friends in the church and other organizations but above all, my children and my lovely wife Miep, who never let me down, it was a good life, I have learned that when you are good to them, they will be good to you and when you love your family they will love you in return, and when the storms of life rock your boat and threatens to capsize it, it is time to put your trust in “HIM”, like his disciples did some 2000 years ago during a bad storm. William van Niekerk passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at the age of 92 years. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (5340 – 4th Street S.W.) on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Foothills Country Hospice Society, Box 274 Okotoks, AB., T1S 1A5. In living memory of Bill van Niekerk, a tree will be planted at Big Hills Springs Provincial Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200