Geertje Blekkenhorst

Geertje (Gertie) Blekkenhorst, age 90, returned to her heavenly home on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Pinewood Court. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her throughout her entire life.

Geertje was born on October 30, 1925, to the late Jentje (van de Streek) and Berend Kamphof in Raalte, Overijssel, in the Netherlands. Geertje was blessed with a large and loving family. 

She married Jan Blekkenhorst on June 1, 1954 in Denham, Overijssel, 61 years ago.  In 1958 they, along with their first son, immigrated to Canada to pursue their dream of farming where they purchased a farm in Baird Ontario, now a part of Thunder Bay.  Geertje raised her five children with patience, discipline and Christian love.

She was actively involved in First Christian Reformed Church.  Her pride was caring for her growing family, always knowing birthdays and keeping up with current events (especially CBC “As it happens”). 

She was a great host to many visiting family members and friends from overseas.  Geertje is survived by her dear husband Jan, their five sons Henry (Sue Ellen), Berend (Peggy), Art (Cathy), Leo (Angela) and Jed (Tracy), her eighteen grand children Gillian, Jonathan, Christina (Eayon Reid), Brian, Sheleen (Mark) Veurink,  Erik, Jason, Ali, Sabrina, Andrea, Laura, Daniel (Erica), Leah (David) Thomas, Lyndsay, Sarah, Natalie, Alex and Greg, as well as two great grand children Amelia and Audrey. She was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings in Holland as well as her brother Gerrit Kamphof of Thunder Bay.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday May 10, 6 to 8 pm at First Christian Reformed Church on Highway 130. Memorial Service will be Wednesday, May 11 at 1 pm at First Christian Reformed Church. Family interment will be at the Stanley Hill Cemetery preceding the service.

Donations can be made in Geertje’s honour to Alzheimer Society or to a charity of your choice, as she supported many different causes.

Geertje Blekkenhorst will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove.  Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.