John VAN DEN HAM

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VAN DEN HAM: John (Jan), beloved husband to Joan (Teunisje) entered into glory, with his wife by his side, on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Brandon Regional Health Center at 84 years of age. John was born in Putten, the Netherlands on July 10, 1929. He was the eldest son of Hermanus and Jannetje van den Ham and one of eleven. John grew up in the Netherlands and married Joan (van Donkersgoed) in Voorthuizen, the Netherlands before immigrating to Canada. John and Joan began their farming lives in Chater, Manitoba. After working on several dairy farms outside of Brandon, they purchased their first dairy farm in 1967. John worked with the Milk Marketing Board during those years and then he sold the “Dairy” to his sons in 1978. John continued to farm for several more years raising beef, pigs and even sheep. When he retired from farming he worked for 19 more years with Schweitzer-Mauduit International as a flax straw buyer. John was one of the founding fathers of Christian Heritage School, a dedicated church member in the First Christian Reformed Church of Brandon and an active member of the church council. John volunteered many hours as a board member of Prairie Oasis and for several years he and Joan together worked with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee helping rebuild communities destroyed by disaster. In recent years John was active in his home community, Monterey Estates. John was a devoted husband and father of eight children. He cherished time with family and made it a priority to visit his children and grandchildren who live throughout Canada and the US. They have many happy memories of family vacations, special gatherings, and celebration for which they will always be thankful. John is survived by eight children and 27 grandchildren. Herman and Dianne; Kimberly, Douglas (Louise), Christina (Casey), Greg, Michael (Keira). Janet and Larry Wierenga; Trevor, Sandra (Matt), Jody (Drayson), Jason. Arlene and Tom Mitri; Christopher (Cheryl), Pamela (Jarod). Evelyn and Todd McKim; Steven (Tara), Travis (Stefanie), Ryan (Kimberley). Clarence and Lil; Cheryl (Devin), Dave (Jamie), Lori (Steven), Jen (Joel). Brenda and Bruce Bunting; Joel, Lisa, Hailey. Joyce and Ed Kistemaker; Jonathan, Stephanie, Rachel, Jennifer. Paul and Sherri; Tyler (Sam), Tara. He also had 16 great grandchildren. All 84 years of John’s life were lived to their fullest. His comfort in life, and now in his death was that he belonged body and soul to his faithful savior Jesus Christ. II Timothy 4: 7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” The Ceremony to Celebrate John’s Life was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Central United Church with Rev. Thyra van Keeken officiating. Interment preceded the ceremony in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, donations in memory of John may be made to the Prairie Oasis Senior Centre, 241 8th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 3X2 or to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements withMemories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 25, 2014