June 4, 1956 — Dec. 20, 2023
It is with deep sorrow that the family of Gerrit Van Hierden announces his sudden passing on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the age of 67 years, in the Fort Macleod Emergency.
Gerrit was a beloved husband, father, (great) grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He leaves to mourn his dear wife, Janet Van Hierden (de Kok) of 47 years; his daughters, Joletta (John) Kaat of Bruce Crossing, Michigan, Nelina Van Hierden of Fort Macleod, Calinda (Dave) Slingerland of Cowley, and Andrelei (Bert) Grisnich of Fort Macleod.
Gerrit will be greatly missed by his 28 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; his sisters, Ria (Ray) Vanee, Nancy Vanden Broek, and Jenny (Jake) Boot; his brothers, Henry (Shannon), Conrad (Rhonda), and Harvey (Bernita); brother-in-law, Frans (Sieneke) Feyter; sisters-in-law, Tracey Van Hierden, Nelleke (James) Kreft and Andrea (Peter) Feyter; as well as the many nieces, nephews, family, friends, neighbours, and church community that knew him.
Gerrit was born in Fort Macleod to Henk and Jenny Van Hierden in 1956. He grew up on the family farm just east of Fort Macleod until he married his wife, Janet in 1976. Together they farmed south of Fort Macleod, where they raised their four daughters on Driview Farms. In 2010, they built another home close to the Belly River, where they planned to retire, but Gerrit was not quite done with farming and built another farm, where he resided until the time of his passing.
Gerrit enjoyed family gatherings, spending time with the grandchildren, and always handed out the best hugs. He was a special, loving man, and greeted everyone with a warm smile.
Gerrit was predeceased by his parents, Henk (2000) and Jenny (2014) Van Hierden; parents-in-law Andy and Nellie de Kok (2021); brother-in-law, Andrew de Kok (1981); brother, Rick Van Hierden (1996); sister, Steina Feyter (2012); brother-in-law, Walter Vanden Broek (2014); nephews, Adrian Kreft (1998), Gerrit Van Hierden (2001), and Randy Van Hierden (2004); niece, Rebecca Van Hierden (2004); as well as infant grandson, Joshua Kaat (2005), and grandson, Jason Slingerland (2023).
Condolences were held at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation, 2608 Seventh Ave., Fort Macleod, on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.
A funeral service was held at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation, Fort Macleod, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
Following the funeral service, Gerrit was laid to rest at Union Cemetery, Fort Macleod.