In loving memory of
BILL BRANDSMA
Born Oct. 31, 1926,
Kollumerzwaag, Friesland
Called to his Heavenly Home Nov. 10, 2002, Smithers, B.C.
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Bill Brandsma was born on Oct. 31, 1926 in Kollumerzwaag, Friesland. Bill was the second child in a family of seven who all still live inHolland. He immigrated to Canada in 1951 and moved to Smithers in 1952.
In Nov. 1952, Bill married Gerdy Beerda. They had five children; Sylvia, Tina, Mel and Edna. In 1968, Gerdy passed away from cancer. In Oct. of 1968, Rena came to help take care of the family and in Nov. 1969, Bill and Rena were married in Holland and they completed the family with 3 more children; Sid, Hilda and Richard.
From 1952 to 1962, Bill was active in the logging industry in Smithers. In 1962, his dream of owning his own farm came true when he bought the Tugnam place in Glentanna. Bill loved the farm, the cows and the peacefulness of the countryside. He took every opportunity to enjoy the scenic route to town.
When Bill semi-retired from the farm, he enjoyed checking on the farm, reading, golfing and walking. Family was very important to Bill and he loved spending time with all his children and grandchildren.
Bill was very active in church and school and enjoyed visiting people with Rena. Bill was a man who lived out his faith every day of his life. We were blessed with a loving, sincere, caring and compassionate husband, dad and grandpa.
As a family, we would like to express our thanks for the many cards, flowers, and food which we have received.
Bill will be lovingly remembered by: His wife, Rena, Sylvia and Sid Terpstra (Abbotsford, B.C.), Lysa (+), Jenna, Courteney: Karla and Bryan Kornelius (Osler, Sk.), Tina and George Veenstra (Smithers, B.C.), Daniel, Stan, Jason, Brad and Kevin (Edmonton, AB), Al and Rosalie Brandsma (Smithers, B.C.), Nicole, Michelle, Ashlee, Travis; Mel and Sandra Brandsma (Red Deer, AB), Jordyn, Stacey and Kiera; Edna and Dave VanWerkhoven (Fraser Lake, B.C.), Kyla; Sid Brandsma (Edmonton, AB), Hilda and Kevin deWolde (Abbotsford, B.C.), Rich Brandsma (Edmonton, AB), Remembered also by many relatives and friends.