Obituary of Keith Leyen

Keith Leyen passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital on September 21, 2019 at the age of 77.

Keith is predeceased by: his father Rein Leyen and mother Mary Leyen. 

He is survived by: his loving wife, Pat; his children, Les Leyen (Josie), Richard Leyen (Vicki & Rachel), and Michelle Leyen-Akers(Jesse); his five grandchildren, Ryan, Ethan, Gracie, Keith, and Brieanna; his four sisters, Ali, Reina, Terri, Anne and their families; his two brothers, Peter, Gerald and their families; along with Keith and Pat’s extended family.

Keith was born on December 24, 1941 in St. Pancras, a village close to Alkmaar (known for their cheese market) an hour east of Amsterdam, North Holland.  He was the third oldest in a family of seven children. They immigrated to Canada in April 19, 1954, aboard the S.S. Zuiderkrus, and arrived in Halifax.  The family travelled across the country to settle in Abbotsford, B.C.

Keith left home at the age of 19 and headed east to Weyburn, SK to work on the service rigs for his uncle Peter.  This is where he met the love of his life Patricia Pirie, who would become his wife. 

They moved to Lloydminster in 1970 and started their family and service rig company Leyen Oilwell Servicing where Keith would devote the next 50 years of his life to the oil industry and his family.

Keith Leyen was a hard-working, kind, and generous man who helped many people.  He was a devoted family man who cared for his family and taught them good work ethics. He was a pillar of the community and supporter of many charities.

He fought a long three-year battle with cancer and never complained, just put his mind to the job to be around his family for as long as he could.  He will be remembered with good memories by all the people that he touched in his life.

The family would like to thank the Cross Cancer Institute for all the care they gave Keith, along with the Lloydminster Palliative care unit for showing compassion and making his time there peaceful.

As per Keith’s wishes there will be no memorial service.  A celebration of life will take place at a later date determined by the family.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Keith may be made to the LRHF- Lloydminster Palliative Care or Cross Cancer Institute.