HEEREMA, JANE (JANTJE)
November 3, 1924 – December 9, 2017

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalms 62: 1-2

The Heerema family sadly announces the passing of our dear mother, Oma, great Oma, sister, and aunt, Jane (Jantje) Heerema, age 93, of Murillo, who passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Pioneer Ridge Home for the Aged. Jane was born in Zwartsluis, Netherlands on November 3, 1924. Her father worked for the Nederlandse Spoorwegen and due to a job transfer moved the family to Winsum. Jane and Fred met as children and grew up together attending the same school. As they grew older they began dating and eventually became engaged. During this time Jane worked as a secretary for an architectural firm. Their wedding was put on hold until after the war but they later married on November 1st, 1949. Together with the Heerema family, she and Fred and their infant son Frans immigrated to Canada in 1952. This was a difficult adjustment for Jane leaving her family behind in the Netherlands as she did not see them again for many years. Together Fred and Jane worked as a team, as Jane helped with milking the cows, and worked behind the scenes meticulously keeping the household running, feeding the many hired hands, and doing the book keeping and accounting for the dairy farm operation.

Jane enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, her weekly Friday afternoon shopping trips, particularly to Eaton’s and Sears, and dinners out, reading, and watching her favourite game shows. Jane took great pride in keeping an impeccable household and always had beautiful outdoor flowers.

She was a faithful and founding lifelong member of the Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church, becoming the congregation’s oldest member, after the passing of her husband last year.

Throughout their 67 years together, Fred & Jane raised a beautiful family of 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jane is survived by her children, Frans & Linda Heerema, Harold & Geri Heerema, Ed & Dianne Heerema (Emo, Ontario), Fred Jr. Heerema and Marja & David Mack. Grandchildren, Jesse & Louise Heerema (Maes, LouLou, Isabelle), Kristen & Jon Pelster (Ava, Cade, Aliyah, Owen) (Calgary, Alberta), Jeff Heerema (Rachael Shaffer), Jordan & Lindsey Heerema (Jillian, Edward) (Edmonton, Alberta), Kaleigh Heerema (Matt Caputo), Brent & Kristin Heerema (Logann), Jared Heerema (Melanie Blake), Kurtis & Lindsay Heerema (Quinn, Josiah) (Blaine, Minnesota), Luke & Gillian Heerema (Beck, Frances), Renee & Shane Kannegiesser, Aaron & Kathryn Heerema (Hudson, Emalyn, Arwen), Justine Mack (Shane Pawluk), Caleb Heerema (Ottawa, Ontario), Shaina Mack (Mathew Burns).

Also survived by her inlaws, Klazien & Heero Huitsing, Jack & Irene Heerema all from Thunder Bay, Willemina & Ed Grootenboer (Waterloo, Ontario), sister-in-laws, Barbara Heerema (Lantana, Florida) and Gini Corporaal (Zwolle, Netherlands). As well as many other nephews and nieces.

Jane is predeceased by her husband Fred in 2016, her son Randy in 2004, her parents Frans and Hermina Corporaal, as well as siblings and in-laws from the Netherlands, Reindeer & Geertje Corporaal (Den Haag), Neel Corporaal (Groningen), Ge & Jan Groeneveld (Haren), Gerrit Corporaal (Zwolle) Also in-laws, Heerke & Willemtje Heerema, Henry & Nellie Heerema, Pieter & Elly Heerema, Theresa & Henk Guther, Arie Heerema, Herman & Alice Prenger, Harry Heerema, Carol Heerema, Netty & Dick Kok, and two infant sisters.

A Memorial service for the late Jane Heerema will be held on Wednesday December 13th, 2017 at 1:00 pm with family and friends gathering at First Christian Reformed Church (Cooper Road off of Hwy 130). A private interment service will be held prior to the memorial service at Stanley Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all who cared for Jane throughout the years as she progressed through her dementia. Thank you to Sue and Adele for their many years of loving personal care keeping her looking her best. Thank you to Dr. Stewart Kennedy and his office. Thank you to Nurse Practitioner Calvin Pelletier and CCAC. Also the care workers of Bayshore, Wesway , ParaMed and Nurse Next Door. Special thank you to nurse Kathleen for at home care. Thank you to all the staff and care workers at Pioneer Ridge Plaza 2 from Administration to Therapeutic-Recreational Care, Dietary, Laundry and especially to the wonderful nursing team and PSW careworkers. Your efforts made the last eight months of Jane’s life comfortable and filled with love.

If desired, donations can be made in Jane’s honour to the HELPING HANDS AUXILIARY TO PIONEER RIDGE HOME FOR THE AGED, an organization of volunteers who give their time to enhance the quality of the lives of the residents of Pioneer Ridge.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Everest Funeral Chapel, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.

“Tijd gaat snel, gebruik het well”