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Pim posted a condolence
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sincere condolences on the loss of your Mom. Came across this site when discovering the Vercoulen ancestry. Best regards from The Netherlands, Vercoulen, Pim.
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Bob and Diane Steeg posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
An overdue note of sympathy to you all. Many happy memories about your Mom. Hope she is checking out a jar of her fabulous canned cherries in heaven right now :-) Take care. Bob and Diane
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Gerry Groenen posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
October 20, 2004
The house with its straw roof, that is the house where I was born.
Love and working together, we all lived there. We were happy people, smiling and singing. As a small child I was loved and a little spoiled but it was wonderful. Most of the work was done by hand with shovel and pitchfork. My father had a horse, most of the people didn't, and milk cows, pigs chickens and sheep. There was always enough to eat. In the fields was grain, rye, oats and barley, potatoes, peas, turnips and beets for the cattle. These were yellow beets which we cleaned, chopped up and
fed to the cows in the winter with chop of wheat and oats and a bit of
barley. Rye was reserved for the pigs and mixed with cooked potatoes.
Sugar beet was sold to make syrup, some of which was returned, mixed
with apples, 'Krone (apple butter) and sometimes carrots (in Dutch called
'Stroop').
But most I remember my years as a child. How I played under the four poplar trees beside the house. I would sit there with an upside down box. I peeled the plums with my teeth and then put them into the jars to be canned. Shortly my mouth was full of blisters and how my mother laughed. My dolls had porcelain heads and I broke it. I cried so hard and cut my finger. My mother told me to lick it off. The doctor came in for my brother Lad had a big boil on his neck. When he heard me crying and looked at the cut he took a whole roll of bandage and wrapped up my hand. I was so proud! The dolls' heads broke frequently but were always replaced when Uncle Pete (my dad's brother) went to the market. Often he would come back with oranges or candy which none of the neighbours ever seemed to have. Finally, one day he came with a new doll that had a steel head and a leather body. Clothes for the dolls were often made by the seamstress. In those days fabrics were bought by the 'ell'. This was a measurement of about a yard or less. Then the seamstress was brought in to make the clothing. Lad recovered but was only three months old at the time. Bet Cox, the neighbour, asked my mother how she could allow the boil to be lanced on one so young (this was 1926). The doctor replied if she had done it for her children perhaps they would have turned out better.
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Then I think of my brother Cor (Cornelius) who was always walking around picking fruit and sitting on the steps nibbling at it. On a summer day came a thunderstorm. Lightning hit the plum tree near to where he was sitting. It took Cor a couple of hours to recover and he was as white as a sheet.
My brother Jacque was always so good and happy but always doing things because he was the farmer. Lod was always climbing trees to -get crows eggs until he-fell out of a tree and- Harry and Mother had to carry him around the house (this was 1930).
The dirty 30's that were the hard times also in Canada. After that came the war, very interesting but I hope that my children don't have to go through that.
I always see my brother Cor when he came back from the concentration camps in Germany. He had spent a few years in various hospitals after the war and spent the last three years of his life being looked after by my mother. He never recovered and finally died in September 1950. Hope his soul rests in peace.
Harry went to Indonesia for five years but he made it back.
Jan lives a normal life, well he was in a cloister for four or five years, studying for the brotherhood. He had problems with his hearing so was considered too much of an expense. Later he married and has three children.
Pete had asthma even at six or seven years he looked so pale. He died in 1990 quite mad with a tumour on his brain.
My sister died of cancer in New Zealand shortly after having a growth removed from the thyroid. Her husband Ted Dorssers died a few months later. Think that I am close to it because I am 84 but hope that I can go on for a while. Mother died in 1979. It was so nice that I was with her. Loved her lots and think a lot about her. I think a lot about the Old Country but often think most of life was in Canada.
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Canada is a good country. The place where you are born comes first. I still have five brothers left. It is wonderful. I wish I was able to see them but I think that will never happen. I think that most people who have emigrated have the same feeling and want to go home. That is what I have. I look back on the world I knew. The world improves what work belongs but working together on the farm in a close knit family that I grew up with is hard to find.
I also remember my grandfather, how hard-his life must have been.
He never had nothing other than hard work, small farm that he had to work with a pick and a shovel, a cow and a couple of pigs. My mother was the youngest of three kids. Her sister never went to school. My mother had a couple of years at school but she had to work after school for a baker. In the morning, for breakfast was a slice of bread with, instead of butter, a little warm oil. After a couple of years her father ordered to go and live by my father's father and work there the money being for Grandpa. My father must have liked her and wanted to marry her. This was a blessing for my mother. My Mother and Father were married 17th April 1917. My grandfather having little or no money gave a large sack of flour to mother as a dowry. Their first child Gerrard was born 1st April 1918. My father was not at home. He was in the army and was on guard duty at the Royal Palace in de Hague for Queen Wilhelmina. This was very hard for my mother but life was better than before, there were two hired girls in the house to look after everything. My brother had the privilege to sit on grandpa's knee.
Myself was born 16th January 1920. I had a very pleasant life as a little girl. After I started school it was very hard. As a little girl I remember 1 fell and my head was bleeding. My mother cleaned me up with an apron and my father put me on his bike and took me to the doctor. My apron was full of blood and I cried because of the apron but my mother just smiled.
My first year at school was very hard. My teacher didn't like me very much. One day I asked her for permission to go to the toilet. She wouldn't let me go. I pee'd my pants and left a big puddle under my seat. I had to stay after school. But the school years go fast.
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In 1929 the farm went up for sale. It was owned by a priest and came up for auction. The house needed major work. My father was outbid by a rich man from the next village so he bought a neighbouring farm for less money but on which he had to build a new house. With a young family he had not the money for the new house. Pete, his brother, offered him the money and when father said he could not pay him back Pete said he was not asking to be repaid. By 1930 we moved into the new house. Those were the hard years. Two years later the hired girls
were gone and I had to take their place.
These were very hard years for my mother and father, but still were happy years. By this time there were ten children. That is how it comes that always I was called 'The Cat' and the bossy one. My mother I think was very happy with their kids. My father really loved mother and teased her all the time. When he was dying in 1965 the doctor told my mother it would only be a couple of hours and that he should not eat any more. He asked for breakfast and mother said, 'You're not supposed to eat any more.' He replied, • You want me to die of hunger?' Mother made and gave him breakfast. He looks at my mother and said, 'Now I feel good and I go to sleep.' He never woke up. I, for myself, think that is wonderful.
The Thirties were hard years. It was dry and the crops were poor.
By the end of the Thirties it was better but then Hitler came on the scene. In May Hitler overran Holland and that was not very good. It was especially hard for my brother Cor. He was called up to work for Hitler and went into hiding, working for the neighbours. One day they came
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and loaded him up and at the end of the war there was nothing left of him
but skin and bones. He was very sick. My father and mother tried everything but it didn't help.
Lod was lucky that they didn't fmd him. I stuffed him in the cupboard. When they had gone Lod ran over the field and waved at them. That afternoon they came back and set everything upside down. They took Jacque but let him go home after a day. Gerard was picking pears with a ladder. He fell and broke his leg so he was in hospital for the rest of the war.
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Life in Canada, if you want to know what it was for me, myself I felt it was the end of the world. Nobody can imagine; four children and having to start school with a mouthful of teeth not knowing how to speak English. Leo was so frustrated I cried in the morning because I had to send him to school and wishing I had never come here. After fifty years the feeling is still the same. Here in Canada people don't understand because they were used to the hard life of the prairie. Why was life hard? Because in immigration we were not on top any more.
Go back to my life with mother and father, seven brothers and one sister. Life was good. Hard in the war years but after that my life starts. There was just lots of love from mother and father.My brothers are nice, loving people. My sister was never so secure but had a good heart. When she went to New Zealand her life was hard and our lives went apart. I talked often to Matt to get out but he wouldn't think about it but finally came the day that they pulled lots for the farm and Matt had to go. He asked to go to Canada. For myself, it was better to go than have all the troubles all the time but with four children it was no picnic! By the time we sold the cows it seemed a lot of money. By the time we got to Canada it was nothing, four guldens for every dollar.
When we emigrated my children didn't know any better. But now most of my kids are happy and have their kids. But I always think nobody loves them more than their mother and that keeps me alive. My wish is that all of my children would go sometimes to church.
Canada is a good country but in the last fifty years has come to life and become a rich country. There is a difference in people. I hope my children will do well.I hope my children always look out for each other. I think I have shed enough tears for all. God bless them all.
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Leo and Shirley Groenen lit a candle
Friday, October 26, 2012
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The last time we saw mom was the day before she passed away. She was surrounded by family. The smile on her face when she saw the great grandchildren radiated her love and caring for her family. What a fond memory we will have forever of our special mother.
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Flore Groenen/Langeslag posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A tribute to Maria Hubertina Groenen,
My deepest and sincere sympathy to all her children, daughter and son in-laws, grandchildren, greatgrand children and relatives.
Mom's passing deeply touch my heart. Even though it is only 7 years they were memorable, happy, lots of laughter and above all she lightened my life specially running a household, raising children and be loving, understanding, kind with one another. Those were her strength she carried through her life. Everyone was welcome to her little palace. On top of it
she knew how to run a a household and to feed 10 kids, a husband and herself, plus a son in law and and daughter in law at that time. to present time the family grew and more members of the clan. They were her wealth. It is priceless.
I remembered in the 7 years, during the days I was married to Bill. We went Lloydminster for short vacation with our two kids Lia and Abbee.
the house was always ready to receive us. Days before we come she will start baking already and to make sure she has free time to her son, me and the two grandchildren. That time Maria has Aaron the focal point of mom's eye. He was very cute kid.
During our stayed, I will help her peeled potatoes. carrots by the buckets. All soaked in cold water and meals for 3 days. She tried to save the word and done in one day. when the kids bath time, we used the same water for us to bathe and after bath we scooped the water from the tub and save it in a big pail to use it for washing the floors or dirty shoes or use to water her garden. The water was precious and expensive. It was brought to the house once a week and they have to pay for it. She was very economical and frugal if you think that way. Why? Pop was the only wage earner. Feeding 7 kids is not easy. That time 3 children were already on their own. I remember it was a drink time at night. She gave me an "Advocat" a dutch liquer and i never had tasted before. It was served in a little glass and scooped with a little teaspoon. The alcohol got into my system far more. I was not used to it. The next morning she was telling me the story. She laughed so hard and she extend her tongue and touched her nose. Wow?? how did she do that. Other funny things she will roll her eyes and they eyeball somehow got funny. There are so many ways that she showed her humurousness and seems life is so easy for her. She cuddled the children when they cry, hugged them before they go to bed, tucked them in and when they were off to school. She was an ideal mother. I made sure I helped her in the household cleaning, cooking, baking and laundry and to give her a break. In her eyes I was an ideal daughter=in law at that time.
I am sure all daughter in-laws and son in -laws did the same thing. Who will not. she was a loving mother. She wished mothers should stay home to raised children. I envy her because I could not afford to stay home with my children. It was different times and life has changed enormously. She was not much in favour of me working. She was idealistic, good spiritual beliefs and she just contented of staying home. She was patience to wait for what she needs especially in the household effect. Her children were no. 1. She has shown it all her life and that is admirable. When Mom and Pop and other children visited us in Lethbridge, Alberta Bill and I make sure we made sure that we can contribute something for clothing for the children specially when school start. I make sure we can also contribute to their travel expense . We can do it because we were 2 wage earner. She was always grateful and thankful for every help we extended to her. She was proud of her children and I do not think until her death that you could criticize her children because that is a no no no to her. Mom, there are many good things I could tell about you. I will remember all of them for the rest of my life, the guidance , role model of being a mother and a wife. I did not come close to your idealism due to many circumstances. I wished I was able to do it with my children but I did the best that I can be. I never forget to extend my hello and asked Lia (Liiy)how you are doing and hello to all member of your family each time I talked to my daughter. I will now say goodbye to you and one day till we meet again. May you happily reunited with Pop.
Love and Prayers,
Flore
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Carman & Jackie Gartner posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
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Myra Rutherford posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I always think of her when I go to Marsden Manitou.... she will be missed. Thinking of you!!! Myra
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Bob & Diane Steeg posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thinking of you all at this time, our deepest sympathy to all of you, may God comfort you at this time and in the days ahead.
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Joshua Mazuryk posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
To the Groenen Family, my deepest sympathies go out to you for the loss of your mother. I wish you all the best in these difficult times ahead. My thoughts are with you. Josh
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The Groenen-Langeslag Family lit a candle
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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Thank you for the love and care during my days
with your family. You will always be remembered
Love,
Flore, Lilly & Abbee
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Lorie Carey posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Shirley, My deepest sympathies on your loss, my thougths are with you during this time. May your memories of your mom in law help you through this time of sorrow. Hugs - Lorie
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Dan & Barb Becker posted a condolence
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sincere condolences on the loss of your Mom. We pray that your memories are able to get you past this time of sorrow.
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the fauths lit a candle
Sunday, October 21, 2012
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we will always miss you mom we are missing are strongest link
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Flore & Co Langeslag posted a condolence
Sunday, October 21, 2012
To Gerry Groenen & family, OUr deepest sympathy for the passing of your beloved mother. The happy memories and legacy of your mother will be your guide to the grieving moments and may you find comfort in remembering her with all her loved. May she rest in peace and may God Bless you and your family always, Best wishes and prayers, Flore and Co Langeslag
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John and Colleen and Family lit a candle
Saturday, October 20, 2012
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We will miss you always but you are now with the best friend ever, in the arms of Jesus. Nana your heart brought love to our family, your strength keep us together and your will always kept us bonded.
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The Stromes lit a candle
Saturday, October 20, 2012
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Love you Mom and we will always miss you. To the best mom we could have
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Jerry Fawcett & John LeBlanc posted a condolence
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Dear William, Our sympathy and heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Please take care! Love, Jerry & John
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Jean-Paul Frigon posted a condolence
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Sinceres condolences to the family, my prayers are with you.
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Flore and Co Langeslag posted a condolence
Saturday, October 20, 2012
To Bill, Leo, John, Maria, Louise, Peter,Carol, Jim , Robbie and their families, In this time of grief sending our sympathy to you and family. May your sorrow one day awaken to a new beginning. We want you to know that we are thinking of you at this sad time in your lives. I will always remember mom and no more pain. She was a part of my life and loved and will remain. She now joined Pop and they can polka together again. I am sure everyone will miss her. She was a good mother, mother in-law, and grandma. Love with prayers, Flore and Co Langeslag
5101 - 50 Street
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0M2
