Walter Vangrootheest
Sept. 4, 1929 to June 5, 2011
Walter was born in Ede, Holand and emigrated to Ontario with his family in 1949. He moved to Smithers with his first wife Tina, and seven children in 1967. He opened a Welding shop on Highway 16, and later moved it to Railway Ave. In May 1985, the Lord had taken Tina home after a short battle with cancer. Walter then married Dorothy Barendregt in July 1986. He was a man of many trades and hobbies. He enjoyed fishing in his homemade houseboat for nineteen years. He passed peacefully at home and has gone on to be with his Lord and Saviour. He will be greatly missed by all his children: Gerry (Toliena) Neerlandia, AB, Ann (Ralph) Penninga, Calgary, AB Sonja (Albert) VanLeeuwen, Neerlandia, AB, Belinda Davidson, Sterling, AB, Ron (Dawn), Smithers, BC, Walter (Rose), Smithers, BC, Sharon (Dale) Rutlegde, Fergus, Ont., 28 grandchildren, and 44 great grandchildren; and step children: Caroline (Henry) VanderMooren, Houston, BC, Trish (Klaas) Kort, Smithers, BC, John (Liz) Barendregt, Smithers, BC, Rose (Martin) Haar, Smithers, BC, Judy (Fred) Hofsink, Smithers, BC, Theresa (Dave) Bos, Smithville, Ont., Richard (Karin) Barendregt Smithville, Ont., Dan (Wendy) Barendregt, Smithers, BC, 33 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.