BERNARDUS PIERRE VAN LEEUWEN

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BERNARDUS PIERRE VAN LEEUWEN As he passed away peacefully on June 16, 2014 at age 93, the last song Bernard van Leeuwen heard was "The Lord is My Shepherd," sung at his bedside by his family who surrounded him with love until the end. Bernard spent his final days at Donwood Manor in Winnipeg with his devoted wife and roommate Gertrude at his side, along with three generations of his family and other loved ones. He was never alone. Left to cherish Bernard's memory is his wife of 63 years, Gertrude (nee Harris), his children Gerry (Cindy), Jacquie, Rita, Brad, Larry, Len (Audrey) and Bernie; grandchildren Curtis (Laura), Tiffany, Kendell, Kelsey, Mia, Mandy (Chris), Ava, Terri-Lynn, Meghan, Jessica, Kelly, Lindsay, Amber (Jeff), Trevor (Crystal) and Steve (Alena); great-grandchildren Ivan, Keagan, Lux, Caleb, Mya, Zoe, Mielah, Brynn, Harper and Zaya. Also left to mourn his passing are sisters Willie and Audrey (Tony). Bernard will also be lovingly remembered by his cousin Else, in-laws Nellie, Jack (Teenie), John (Trudy), and Ina, and many nieces and nephews from here and across the world. Bernard was predeceased by his beloved son and namesake Ben with whom he will be laid to rest; mother Bernadina and father Johannes; sisters Betsie, Johanna and Annie; brother Johannes and son-in-law Gary. Bernard was born in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on April 30, 1921. From there the van Leeuwen clan moved, eventually settling in Eindhoven, where he enjoyed a lively childhood spent with five sisters and one brother in a home filled with happy family moments. During the occupation of Holland in the heat of the Second World War, Bernard joined the Onderduikers and went underground. Thankfully, God watched over him, allowing for a safe return to his family after the liberation of Holland. After the war, Bernard worked at Phillips for a time, and eventually immigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg where he met and married the love of his life, Gertrude Harris. Together they raised a family of eight children, who gave them 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with whom they created many beautiful memories we will all cherish for the rest of our lives. Visitation for family and close friends will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at Klassen Funeral Home, 1897 Henderson Hwy. A Celebration of Bernard's life will be held on June 25, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 653 Knowles Avenue, followed by a reception at the church, and then interment at Elmwood Cemetery (accessed from Hespler Avenue). Contact Klassen Funeral Home at 204-338-0331 for further details.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2014