Johannes (Jo) Vanee— 2007

   "Precious is the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saint." - Psalm 116:15.
   Johannes (Jo) Vanee, beloved husband of Anneke (Anne) Vanee of Lethbridge, was taken to be with the Lord at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, at the age of 75 years.
   Besides his loving wife Anne, Jo is survived by his children, Verna (Ken) Greidanus, Joyce (Ron) Sakamoto, Ron (Debbie) Vanee and Bonnie (Mike) Jarokosky; grandchildren Angela (Scott) Van't Land, Erin, Bethany and Krista Greidanus, Jeremy (Robin) Sakamoto, Shawn (Carrie) Sakamoto, Sasha (Scott) Mahan, Jonas, Justin and Jordyn Vanee and Jennifer (Stephen Martyn), Shane and Tyler Jarokosky; and his great grandchildren Noah, Caleb, Eden and Moriah Van't Land, Parker and Quintin Sakamoto and Lachlan and Cadan Mahan. He is also survived by his 12 brothers and sisters, Riek Van Driesten, John (Matty) Vanee, Tony (Dini) Vanee, Wilma (Bill) Van Driesten, Janet Vanee, Harry (Lorraine) Vanee, Greta (Dick) Beekman, Ed (Gwen) Vanee, Jeanette (Dick) Pols, Rita (Rick) Olsen, Hank (Marianne) Vanee and Jim (Wendy) Vanee; seven brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bill (Nell) Ouwerkerk, Harriet (Bill) Van Waardhuizen, Tony (Corrie) Ouwerkerk, Irene (Wayne) Hollander, Cor Ouwerkerk, Maria Still and Alice Ouwerkerk; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
   Jo was predeceased by his parents Reyer (1988) and Fennetje (1995) Vanee, infant brother Gerrit (1938) and brother-in-law Maas Van Driesten.
   Jo was born on June 14, 1932 in Ede, Netherlands, the first born son of Reyer and Fennetje Vanee. The family immigrated to Canada in 1950 and then settled in southern Alberta in 1951. Jo married Anneke Ouwerkerk on May 27, 1955 and they were blessed with the birth of four children.
   A successful businessman, in 1960 Jo and his brothers ventured into their first business endeavour, Vanee Livestock Fort Macleod. They later expanded to Macleod Feed Mill, Vanee Farm Center, Vanee Livestock Lethbridge,Intercontinental Truck Body Ltd. and Lethbridge Stockyard. Jo also continued with his entrepreneurial pursuits with Central Truck Equipment Inc., Vanee GM and Vanee Motors (Volkswagon).
   With a faith firmly rooted in the Lord's gracious promises, Jo's life was a testimony to those around him. He was a member of Bethel Free Reformed Church in Monarch. Jo was a congenial, social man with the uncanny ability to put all those around him at ease. Warm and loving, he was greatly respected and admired by family, friends and members of the community and will be deeply missed.
   "I lift my eyes up to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your feet slip, He who watches over you will not slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord will keep you from harm, He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121.
   Family paid their respects between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and friends paid their respects from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 2800 Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge.
   A funeral service was held at Trinity Reformed Church, 1100 40th Ave. N., Lethbridge on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Jerrold Lewis officiating.
   A private family interment preceded the funeral service at Mountain View Cemetery at 1 p.m.
   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Honoured to serve the family, Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2800 Mayor Magrath Dr. S., Lethbridge, T1K 7B1. Telephone: 381-7777.