Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Ann (Anneke) Breukelman went home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on August 11, 2022.
She leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Henry John. She also leaves behind her 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 28 Great Grandchildren. Sonia VandenBroeke – Tanya & Eric (Parker, Levi, Finley), Kari & Geoff (Norah, Theo), Jonathon Stephenson; Gerald & Nadeen Breukelman – Natasha (Jack), Nathan (Laila, Eliza, Zeven), Shane; Judy & Rob Ham – Kevin & Lindsey (Dex, Robbie, Ellis), Tareyn & Colin (Callie, Graham, Keegan), Kelsey & Jared (Rya, Jace); Albert Breukelman & Jackie Kerr – Cassandra, Kyle (Ember); Rick & Cindy Breukelman – Tyler (Jana), Jenny & Cam, Scott; Debbie & Darren Burgsteden – Tyler Wade (Cohen, Adri, Sawyer), Riley & Kyle (Betts, Banks), Courtney & Mike (Anna, Casey, Caleb, Evynne), Dustin. She was predeceased by her Parents Ype & Jacoba Visser, brother John Visser & wife Marie, brother-in-law Melvin Chicorli, son-in-law Art VandenBroeke and two granddaughters, Tamara Stephenson and Jenna Wade. She is also survived by her brothers Len (Nina), Allen (Susan) and sisters Betty (William), Sheila, Audrey (Rob).
Ann was born in Anjum, Friesland and immigrated to Canada with her family on August 5, 1957. She worked at a store on Dawson Road for Joe VanderWees and in July of 1959 she married Henry Breukelman. The years were very busy raising 6 kids and establishing the Evergreen Potato Farm. Faith in God and Church life were the cornerstone the family was built on. This led to volunteering in various organizations including Telecare for 25 years and visiting many people in various nursing homes. As the kids got older and started to marry, Sun Valley Village in Harlingen, Texas became their second home in the winter. It was a much needed-break after working in the gardens and also selling their produce at the Country Market every Saturday. Ann liked to crochet and as each grandchild was born, she made an afghan either for them or a doll they had. As each great grandchild came along, she did the same. Ann and Henry took all of their 18 grandchildren to the Wisconsin Dells. They went 5 times to make sure they took each one. Many laughs were had with “gramma”. She loved her family and was very proud of each one of them. Some of her last words spoken were of hoping for their salvation. She was a very social person, loved visiting, shopping and spending time with people. Ann and Henry often went out or had people over to visit and play games. Ann also loved her house, yard and flowers. She puttered in the yard as long as she could and then Henry continued under her careful supervision. Ann was diagnosed with Lupus in her early twenties which led to many health issues throughout her life, each one being major in itself. Through them all she kept a positive attitude and a smile on her face. This last time however Ann was ready to go. It had taken a toll and she said “I just want to go Home to Heaven”. Even the desire to celebrate her 80th birthday which would have been on October 3rd was not enough to keep her. The party will be in heaven now. So many things could be said about Ann but I think we could all agree we were truly blessed to have had her in our lives. Her shouting out “Yoo-hoo” when she came around will be missed greatly.
The funeral service for Ann Breukelman will held at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Redwood Park Church. The service will be live streamed through Redwood Park Church on YouTube at https://youtu.be/m-sx6JyHDGk. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lupus Canada, Canadian Cancer Society or a Charity of your choice.
