Obituary - Jan Jonker
Jan Jonker
1962 - 2024
October, 10, 1962 ~ November 18, 2024
It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of Jan Manuel Jonker announce his sudden passing in Recklinghausen, Germany on Monday, November 18, 2024 at the age of 62 years. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Annemarie; his daughters who he was so proud of, Megan (Jackson), Janine (Luke); brother, Hinderikus (Hester); sister-in-law, Irene (Jaap); brother-in-law, Peter (Janny); Aunt Piety as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Harm and Geessina Jonker; uncle, Haiko Geertsema and Annemarie’s parents, Wolter and Margreet Rensink. Jan was born on October 10, 1962, in Groningen, The Netherlands. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from agricultural college in 1983. He loved horses and was an active rider, especially show jumping. It was at the arena where he would meet the love of his life, Annemarie. They were married on May 15, 1992 in Veendam, The Netherlands. In 1996, they made the decision to immigrate to Canada to pursue farming. They first lived in Millet and Fort Macleod before settling in Bow Island in 1998, where they would start their family. Jan was so proud of his daughters, their achievements, and was so excited to see where life would take them. He loved nothing more than supporting them through all their milestones, and could always be found in the stands of every single one of their basketball games. Jan didn’t just farm, he loved farming, it was his passion. He was very humble and he took pride in producing the best crops he possibly could and this showed through his sugar beets. He was a five time beet king, and although he never admitted it, he was proud of these achievements. When Jan wasn’t spending his time dedicated to the farm, he could be found watching Formula 1, often with Janine. No matter how early the race was, they could always be found watching it together. In the summer months when time allowed, he loved camping and golfing, and spent as much time as he could doing this. Jan was stubborn and honest but always came off kind and had a great sense of humour. He was the type of person who was funny without trying to be funny; bringing so much joy and laughter to his family. Annemarie, Megan and Janine will miss him so much! A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W. Medicine Hat on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Roger Lobb officiating. Private interment will take place prior to the service in the Bow Island Cemetery. Memorial donations in Jan’s name may be made directly to HALO Air Ambulance, 12 - 1 Airport Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5G4.
The service will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience Jan’s service may visit the Cook Southland website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time.
November 30th
Note: Due to some regrettable technical difficulties, a small portion of the funeral is missing.
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Kathy Nixdorf:
Nov 21, 2024 at 11:43 PM
Oh Annmarie, Janine & Megan, my heart goes out to you on the sudden passing of your beloved husband & father. Jan was such a kind and gentle soul and I know you will miss him terribly. I pray that you will all feel the love of your community around you to comfort, strengthen and hold you up now and in the days to come. Hold on tightly to each other and your best memories of times together.
Kasper & Lindsay Muller:
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:17 PM
So very sorry to hear of Jan’s passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your girls during this very difficult time.
Patricia:
Nov 23, 2024 at 05:21 AM
Lieve Annemarie en kinderen. Wat een schrik toen ik dit bericht zojuist las en wat enorm verdrietig voor jullie allen. Ik kan geen woorden vinden om mijn ontsteltenis uit te drukken. Ik wens jullie vanuit het diepst van mijn hart heel veel kracht en licht toe om dit verlies te dragen. Hou elkaar vast en zoek troost bij elkaar en in de mooie herinneringen. Lieve groet Patricia Jans-Bouwmeister (JeeBee op Facebook) XXX
Amanda Kielstra:
Nov 23, 2024 at 10:10 AM
We were very saddened to hear of your loss. Jan was always such a character and always smiling. We are sending all of our love and strength to all of you during this time.
Alfred en Minke:
Nov 23, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Nogmaals gecondoleerd lieverds!! Ook namens Robert, Yara, Patrick en Roos!! We love you all!!
John & Shawna Crooymans and family:
Nov 23, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Annemarie, Megan, Janine.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Jan. We will always remember him as one of the best in his craft as a farmer. Your family and Jan are in our thoughts & prayers.
John and Bernice (Janssen) de Wolf:
Nov 23, 2024 at 01:54 PM
Annamarie, Megan and Janine, our sincerest sympathies on the passing of your loved one, Jan. We remember him as a friendly and honest person, who was the epitome of a true farmer. What we didn't know was that he was a show jumper in earlier days, which was a favourite of John's too. We pray for comfort during this time as you three navigate the future together. John and Bernice
Egbert & Annette:
Nov 23, 2024 at 05:12 PM
Our heartfelt condoleances with the loss of Jan. Our thoughts are with Annemarie and their daughters, as well as family and friends. We wish them loss of strength now and the times ahead.
We will remember Jan for his kindness, friendliness and humor when chatting with him on parties from mutual friends. Sending love and strength.
Darren & Alanna Johnson:
Nov 23, 2024 at 08:17 PM
Sending our deepest condolences on the loss of Jan. He was always such a pleasure to visit with.
Marcel Ratering:
Nov 24, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Hoi Annemarie en kinderen / fam
Wat een intens verlies ik wil jullie via deze kant Condoleren en heel veel sterkte wensen de komende tijd
Afzender Marcel Ratering ,vriend van Bert en Ivonne Keuper
Janetta Koers:
Nov 25, 2024 at 10:21 AM
We hoorden van onze moeder jullie verdrietig nieuws, daar zijn geen woorden voor. Wat een enorme schrik en wat ontzettend verdrietig. We wensen jullie heel veel lieve mensen om jullie heen, die je steunen en sterken en goed voor jullie zorgen. En zorg ook goed voor elkaar nu en in de toekomst.
Liefs van Wout en Janetta Wierenga-Koers
Marc de Vries en Jet de Ket:
Nov 25, 2024 at 04:53 PM
Lieve Annemarie en Megan&Janine,
Wat een ongelooflijk, onverwacht en triest verlies.
We wensen jullie alle liefde en sterkte toe.
Marc en Jet, Utrecht 💐
Theo and Regina Krooshoop:
Nov 25, 2024 at 06:11 PM
Annemarie, Megan, Janine, and family:
We are very sorry to hear about your loss of Jan.
Condolences to all.
Andre & Jantine Kleinjan:
Nov 25, 2024 at 10:53 PM
Our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Douglas Thorson:
Nov 26, 2024 at 09:51 AM
I'm very sorry to hear of Jan's passing. When we were neighbours years ago, I knew him as a kind and honest man. My condolences.
Anna Staughton:
Nov 26, 2024 at 10:39 AM
My deepest sympathies and prayers to you all. He will be missed by all that we’re blessed to have him in their lives.
Susanne & Heidi:
Nov 26, 2024 at 02:37 PM
Dear Annemarie
I hope that, even though your world is so dark right now, you are soon able to see some light in the memories you had with your loved one.
My deepest sympathy and condolences from Susanne & Heidi
Karin and Ben Balster:
Nov 27, 2024 at 08:22 AM
Lieve Annemarie en kinderen,
Met verbijstering hebben wij het verdrietige bericht gehoord van Jan’s plotselinge overlijden.
Via deze weg willen wij jullie onze condoleances overbrengen.
Mogen alle herinneringen aan Jan jullie veel kracht geven om dit zware verlies te verwerken.
Wij wensen jullie daarbij heel veel sterkte toe.
Warme groeten,
Ben & Karin Balster
Huissen
Greg Veilleux:
Nov 27, 2024 at 08:42 AM
Annemarie and family, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jan's passing. I will always remember our chats at the farm or when he would stop in at the dealership. Jan was so very kind and humble, a true gentle man, he will be missed by all that knew him.
Martina Kamphuis-Jonker:
Nov 29, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Lieve Annemarie, Megan & Janine,
Nogmaals gecondoleerd met het grote verlies van Jan. Ik ken Jan al mijn hele leven en in de mooie teksten hierboven herken ik heel veel. Jan was een oprecht lief familiemens. Ondanks dat jullie in Canada gingen wonen hebben we altijd een hele warme band gehouden. Die koester ik voor altijd en zal ik zeker blijven voortzetten met Annemarie en de meisjes. In gedachte zijn we bij jullie en hou jullie sterk in deze moeilijke tijd.
Veel liefs van tante Martina & Frederike en de familie.
Nico en Wil Remijn:
Nov 29, 2024 at 03:20 PM
Lieve Annemarie, Megan en Janine,
Geschokt waren wij door het bericht van het plotseling overlijden van Jan. Er zijn geen woorden voor om te beschrijven wat dit verlies voor jullie betekent. Jan was een zeer gewaardeerde buurman.
Helaas kunnen wij niet bij " His celebration of life" aanwezig zijn, omdat wij op dit moment in Ontario zijn.
Wij wensen jullie alle sterkte de komende tijd.
Nico en Wil