”The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
On June 25, 2017, just days after celebrating her 80th birthday, the Lord called Anneke to her eternal home to be with Him. Antje (Anneke) was born to Gerrit and Sietske Okkema on June 10, 1937, in Slootdorp, the Netherlands. She was trained as a nurse and continued to work in Canada after she immigrated in 1960. She married the love of her life, Cecil Janssens, on August 24, 1961, and together they raised their children on the family farm in the Slate River Valley. From the time she came to Canada, a steady stream of family came to visit which made her so happy. Mom loved being outdoors, tending to her flower beds, mowing grass and planting trees and she found such joy when her children and grandchildren would come and help her with her yard work. She was an active, lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church where she met many loving friends. She also had many other close friends in the community. She inherited a love of crafts from her mother and was an avid knitter, quilter, and also enjoyed crocheting. She volunteered at the Thunder Bay Christian School Twice as Nice for many years and would love to bring us all treasures that she had found. Her children and grandchildren brought Mom the most joy. Spending time with them was very special to her and she felt so blessed to be able to meet three precious great-granddaughters. Anneke is survived by her children, son Edward (Cathy); Breanna (Ben) Huitsing - Leah, Maxwell, Hunter (girlfriend Rebecca), son Gerald (Helen); Sarah, Chantel, Tarina, Dexter, Gillian, Cameron, Benjamin, Reuben, Manoah, Maisie, daughter Cynthia (Lorne) Vis; Michael (Tegan), Kimberly (Steven) Schelhaas - Lily and Ivy, Karly (Greg) Huitsing, Andrew (girlfriend Hope), daughter Ingrid (Jeff) Schelhaas; Connor, Dylan, Chelsea, Darren. Brother Harmen (Rennie), sister Drieske (Otto) Koedijk, brother in law Nico Buijze, all of the Netherlands. Many other relatives also survive. Anneke was predeceased by her loving husband, Gezinus (Cecil), son Brian Harry in infancy, parents Gerrit and Sietske Okkema, sisters Joke (Pieter) Schuurmans, Grietje Okkema, and Pieteke Buijze, and granddaughter in infancy, Daphne Noelle Janssens.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 11:00 am in the First Christian Reformed Church, Arthur Street, with Pastor Joe Hamilton officiating. Interment will take place privately for the family prior to the funeral. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening June 29, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the First Christian Reformed Church. If friends desire, memorials to the Canadian Food Grains Bank, Slate River Women's Institute or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
