It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Keimpe (Ken) Wiersma. He passed away peacefully on Feb 12, 2021 in Abbotsford, B.C., with his loving wife, Winnie, at his side.
Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife Winnie Wiersma and his children, step-children, twenty six grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He was a loving father of: Ron (Marilyn) Wiersma, Brian Wiersma, Selina (Greg) Powell and Kevin (Tina) Wiersma; and step-father to: Beryl (Vic) DeJong, Marlene Milton, Darrell Piers, Russell (Sandra) Piers, Travis (Maunie) Piers and Tim (Jackie) Piers.
Ken is predeceased by his first wife Sandra who passed in 1985 from cancer. He will be laid to rest with Sandra.
Ken was born in Oosterwierum in the Netherlands on Oct 6, 1934. His family of seven immigrated to Canada in 1952 when he was 17 years old. They traveled by ship and landed in Halifax with $80 in their pockets. Then they travelled by train across Canada to Vancouver and by ferry to Vancouver Island, settling in Duncan.
After arriving, Ken first worked on a farm and then as a tree planter before being hired at the Chemainus Sawmill where he worked for 30 years. He was laid-off due to the economic downturn in the early 1980's but found work with a Janitorial Company looking after the Duncan Mall.
He eventually got the Mall Janitorial contract himself and worked at that until moving to Abbotsford, B.C.
Ken met his wife Winnie on a cruise in the late 1980's and they married in 1989. They first lived in Duncan and then moved to Abbotsford in 1991, where Winnie and her family were from.
Ken loved his family and extended family and enjoyed spending time with them. He also loved gardening and flowers as did Winnie. In the mid 1990's Winnie's sons expanded the sun deck of their home allowing Ken and Winnie to hang many beautiful flower baskets and bird feeders, which they took great pride in. They also enjoyed watching the birds from the deck.
Ken will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Ken's body will be laid to rest at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens in the Field of Honour.
Condolences may be offered online at www.sandsduncan.ca
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sands Funeral Chapel, Duncan, 250-764-5212.
Sands Funeral Chapel