"Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." Psalm 37:3
On January 10, 2015, our beloved Dad and Papa, Johannes (Joe) VandenBroeke, passed on to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Renske VandenBroeke.
They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 4, 2014. He leaves behind their six children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren: Bram VandenBroeke; Annette & Henry Vanderleest, Sarah, Erin & Jonathan (Anneka, Nathaniel, Timothy), Lisa (Jordyn), Reuben & Kristal; Arthur & Sonia VandenBroeke, Tanya & Eric (Parker, Levi, Finley), Kari & Geoff (Norah); Joanne VandenBroeke, Christina & Johnathan, Katelyn & Cam (Elizabeth), Ryan & Veronica; Peter VandenBroeke, Audrey Lynn & Rob (Devin, Mason, Kalen), Joe (Bently), Peter & Kaitlyn (Lukas); Jessica & Mike Kiers, Lindsay & Martin, Kayla, Micah. He also leaves His brothers John VandenBroeke, Pieter VandenBroeke (Nanny), and sister-in-law Aagje VandenBroeke.
He was predeceased by his parents Bram and Johanna VandenBroeke, brother Bram VandenBroeke, and his granddaughter Tamara VandenBroeke-Stephenson. Dad was born in Schoondijke, Holland, on August 21, 1928. He grew up on his father's farm. After serving eighteen months in the military he emigrated to Fort William with his brother John, in February 1951. Dad met the love of his life at a church picnic on July 1, 1953, and on November 4, 1954, Mom and Dad were married.
Dad's immigration was sponsored by a local farmer and he worked there a few years. He then worked as a welder at Canada Car for 18 years, after which he became self-employed as "Joe's Custom Welding", until his retirement. Joe was not a very complicated man, and with him you knew where you stood. As many of his generation were, he could be a stern father, but we often got to see his soft side, which Mom helped to bring out.
Dad loved nature, whether it was watching a good thunder storm, or feeding the crows in the backyard. He also loved gardening, a hobby he took up in retirement. In summer you would never leave their house without some fresh fare from the garden or greenhouse. Dad also loved to read, but later in life, "the Google" would become Dad's new source of information, as well as being useful for playing 'Spider' or 'Freecell'.
He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church, where he served as an elder for many years. Dad had strong influence on his children more by what he did than what he said. He was honest, hard working, and generous, and he would not hesitate to help someone who was in need.
He had a keen concern for the persecuted church. Dad had an unwavering faith in God and instilled that faith towards his children. He loved his wife and family, and always had a huge smile when he saw his grandchildren.
Visitation is to be at First Christian Reformed Church, Wednesday, January 14, 2015, from 7:00-9:00 pm. Friends and family may gather at First Christian Reformed Church at 12:30 pm on Thursday, January 15, with interment to follow at 1:00 pm in Stanley Hill Cemetery. The funeral service will follow at the First Christian Reformed Church at 2:00pm. In memory of Joe, donations may be made to the Voice of the Martyrs, the Canadian Bible League, or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Johannes VandenBroeke will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
Johannes VandenBroeke
Funeral Service:
Thursday, January 15, 2015
First Christian Reformed Church
2:00 p.m.
Visitation:
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
First Christian Reformed Church
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Memorial Donations:
Voice of the Martyrs, Canadian Bible League, Canadian Cancer Society
