Funeral for Gerrit Vermeer

Celebrating the life of Gerrit (Jerry) Vermeer, we as a family announce that at the age of 93, Gerrit passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2023, with family at his side, in Onoway, Alberta. He is survived by his loving wife Maria (Mary) Vermeer (Holleman) and his six children: Trudy (John) Vander Veen, Pieter (Grace) Vermeer, Marvin Vermeer, Gerrit B (Karla) Vermeer, Janet (Don) Pelzer, and Michele (Dave) Archutick. He was blessed with 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Gerrit was born January 18, 1930, to Marinus and Trijntje (Boender) Vermeer in a small village called Honselersdyk in The Netherlands. He was predeceased by his parents; Marinus and Trijntje Vermeer of The Netherlands; his brother Pieter Vermeer of Lethbridge, Alberta, and his sister Trijntje who passed away in childhood. He is survived by his brother Ben Vermeer in The Netherlands. He grew up in The Netherlands at his parent’s greenhouse. He immigrated to Canada in 1951, at the age of 21, settling near Brandon Manitoba. It was at the Brandon Christian Reformed Church, that he met and married Mary Holleman in 1954. In the following years the Lord gave them six children. In 1970 he moved his family to Calgary for one year. In 1971 an opportunity to develop a greenhouse operation in Redcliff, Alberta required another move for his family. Gerrit operated his family greenhouse business from 1971-1989. Although Gerrit had been raised in and faithfully attended church, in 1973 he recognized his need of a Saviour and made Jesus Lord of his life. The years that followed, in Redcliff, were years of service and commitment to follow God’s plan for his life. Once the children were grown, Gerrit and Mary transitioned into retirement by setting up the ‘Daybreak’ Bed and Breakfast in Kimberly, BC. In 1995 they returned to Alberta, settling in Three Hills, establishing the ‘Touch of Dutch’ Bed and Breakfast which they operated together. In 2017, Gerrit and Mary retired to the Aspen Villa in Three Hills and enjoyed 4 years of a quieter lifestyle. In the fall of 2021, his family assisted with moving them to the Chateau Lac St Anne in Onoway, Alberta. 

Gerrit was a faithful and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. His love of music was reflected in his singing and participation in worship with his baritone horn. He loved to garden, taking great satisfaction in sharing produce with his family, friends, and neighbors. His quick wit and ready comments brought much amusement to those he met. Family members were hard pressed to keep up with him in a game of Triple Yahtzee. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, January 26 at Onoway Baptist Church 5036 48 Avenue, Onoway, Alberta, at 1 pm. The livestream service link will be posted on https://www.onowaybaptistchurch.org/. 

A family internment service will occur prior to this. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Voice Ministries Canada. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/jewish-voice-ministries-canada/