Obituary of Alice Wimmenhove

April 18, 1938 – Meppen, Drenthe

April 10, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with sad hearts that we share the passing of Alice Wimmenhove, loving wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023, at the age of 84 years, with family by her side.

Alice was born to Jan and Aaltje Biel, on Easter Monday, April 18, 1938, in Meppen, the Netherlands. Alice was the youngest of five, and together with her parents and siblings, the family immigrated to Canada aboard the Aquitania in April 1949, arriving just before her eleventh birthday. She took great pride in learning English and becoming fluent in just six weeks, thanks to her wonderful schoolteacher. After moving to Drayton, ON, she met and fell in love with Hank Wimmenhove. They got married in 1958, and she became a loving mother to John, Margaret, and Sylvia.

Driving across Canada on numerous occasions, she had a real appreciation for the beauty of this land. Having honeymooned in Algonquin Park, Alice and Hank often holidayed in the Muskokas to revel in the beauty of the autumn colours. She loved living in Canada. She took delight in travelling back to the Netherlands on several occasions and had the joy of showing her kids where she grew up.

Alice had a green thumb and had great success with many varieties of African violets and orchids. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, Brazilian embroidery, gardening, and doing things for others. Alice was a fantastic cook and baker, and was always cutting recipes out of the newspaper to try something new; many of which became family favourites. Anyone who received a care package from her knew they were well-loved. It was often the simple things in life that gave her the most pleasure.

They retired to their acreage in the Okanagan in 1988, and she enjoyed many happy years there, where she loved to welcome neighbours, friends, and family.

Alice will be most remembered for her kindness, devotion to family, and her faith in God. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We love you, Mom.

Lovingly remembered by her husband Hank, and children, John (Cindy) Wimmenhove, Margaret (the late Hugh) Bates, and Sylvia (Tug) McGraw, and their families. She also leaves behind a large extended family in Canada and the Netherlands.

The family would like to thank Drs. Stone, Hons, Kamar, Khanna, Leung, and all the doctors and staff at Rockyview Hospital, for their wonderful care and support in her later years.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Great Room at Courtyards at Westpark, (2144 Paliswood Rd SW, Calgary, AB) officiated by Rev. Geoffrey Simmins, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 11:00 am. Reception to follow in the Great Room. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Alice Wimmenhove, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.