GERRIT TEN BERK DE BOER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GERRIT TEN BERK DE BOER October 13, 1918 - May 22, 2009 Gerrit passed away peacefully after a short illness at the Poseidon Care Centre. Gerrit was born in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. He served in the Dutch army at the beginning of the Second World War. During the Occupation he worked in Germany as a forced labourer for Opal. He was liberated by the Americans and taken to France. While in Paris he was enlisted into the American Army as a Sargent in charge of P.O.W.S. After the war he married Carolina Resoort. In July of 1953, along with their daughter, they emigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg. Gerry lived a rich and fruitful life. He was a plumber by trade and enjoyed his final working years at the University of Winnipeg as a general maintenance worker. He was an excellent carpenter who built his own house with the help of some friends, a sailboat for his wife and many finely detailed model boats, windmills and toys for his grandsons. He and his wife volunteered for over 25 years at the Dutch Pavillion (Folklorama), where he put a great deal of effort in to building display units and participated on stage. He loved to dance and he was a member of the Klompen Dancers, the Scandinavian Dancers and he was an avid Square Dancer. He was also a member of the Holland Harmonicats. He enjoyed camping, hiking, rock collecting and tinkering on the farm. He will be deeply missed by his family, daughter, Kitty (Peter); grandsons, Lorren and Michael (Leanne); great-grandson, Tyler, and Tyler's mother Melanie; and many close and long time friends. Thank you so much to the staff at the Poseidon Care Centre for your help, support, understanding, patience and kindness. Gerry never failed to tell us how much he liked living there. At his request, cremation has taken place. A private gathering will be held at a later date. Chapel Lawn 885 - 9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 30, 2009