Connie Karsten Galts,

June 30, 2020

Uncle Kees was a person I got to meet as a child when my family occasionally visited with the Dutch relatives in Calgary. There were three families and we all enjoyed the few visits we had which allowed us to meet our cousins and socialize for an afternoon. Uncle Kees always seemed like a kind and gentle man and his quiet personality reminded me a lot of my mother. He was a home builder and my father also was in construction. They always had a lot to talk about and my father admired his workmanship. I know my parents cherished having those family connections in Calgary since they all immigrated from Holland at about the same time. He was very comforting when my parents passed away and he will be truly missed. I give my deepest condolences to the family and wish you all the best.

As a very young child until the age of 12, I spent my formative years living on 66 Ave (now known as Glenmore Trail) in Calgary.  In the mid '50's my father Jacob and his younger brother Kees each bought a piece of property side by side and proceeded to build their own homes for their families.  To me that was a big undertaking and accomplishment, very admirable for recent immigrants from Holland.

Uncle Kees to me was a quiet private person with a good sense of humor.  In 2001, my brother had passed away.  At the funeral I was too emotional to read his eulogy and my sister took over.  I heard someone crying and it was my uncle Kees.  It really surprised me and gave me a lot of respect for him.

In 2015, my husband and I made an RV trip to BC and one of the many stopovers was Calgary.  We visited both of my aunts and uncles and I'm so thankful that we did.  They were both very enjoyable and memorable visits.  I wish we could have spent more time with Tante Riet and Oom Kees but distances were too great.  Our deepest condolences to the family.

Mary Klaver Blom and Ed Blom