FREDERIKA VAN DER KROON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FREDERIKA (RIET) VAN DER KROON (nee VAN MINDERHOUT) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frederika (Riet) van der Kroon (nee van Minderhout) on March 1, 2015, at the age of 80. She is survived by her loving husband Theodorus (Dirk), of 55 years; three sons and their spouses: Nick and Elena, Art and Tara, and Frank and Elaine, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a brother Jos and a sister Cor. She was predeceased by son Theo in 1986 and brother Jan in 1991. Riet was born December 10, 1934 in the Netherlands. In 1980, she and Dirk and their four sons immigrated to Canada. They purchased a dairy farm in the Ste. Anne's area and set out to build a life in their new homeland. The initial years were difficult with them not knowing a single word of English, financial struggles, harsh winters and the loss of a son. They depended on their sons for translation, support and labour. Through hard work, perseverance and with strong family support, they built a very successful business and with Riet's keen business sense and self-taught computer savvy, she provided the needed support for Dirk. This farm success sowed the seeds for their retirement. They retired from the farm in 1997 and started travelling all across the continent, from Texas to Alaska, Maritimes to BC and eventually settled into a snowbird life in Weslaco, Texas, where they spent many a winter. There she spent her days playing cards, bingo and shuffleboard in which sport she won many trophies and participated in the 2009 Canada Senior Games in Brockville, Ontario, where she and Dirk won the gold medal in their age class. Mom got sick in her later years and it slowed down her activities. Even though she was restricted in her every day movement, it did not stop her zest for life and the love of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral service for Riet will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, MB. The burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Ste. Anne Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1P6. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2015