NICK D. VAN GERWEN

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NICK D. VAN GERWEN

September 17 1965 - November 10 2023

It is with profound sadness that after a courageous battle with cancer, Nick Van Gerwen, 58 years of age, has passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB, with his family close by his side.

He has left to mourn, his wife Audrey of 35 years, sons, Michael (Jess), and Matthew Van Gerwen, mother Noela and father Thys Van Gerwen, brother Erick (Jodi) Van Gerwen and nieces, Hailey and Amber Van Gerwen, and many more family and friends.

A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Karen Toews, Medicine ward nurses, support staff and the Palliative Care team at Steinbach Hospital for their impeccable compassion and excellent care.

Nick was a journeyman carpenter who worked on many residential and commercial framing projects. He spent the last 18 years in property management as a maintenance manager for residential and commercial properties. Nick spent many years as a soccer coach for the community and was well liked and appreciated. Nick loved to fish and spend time on his property’s back bush watching for deer at sunset. Nick always made an effort to watch the sunrise and the sunset absorbing all that Mother Nature had to offer. Although a hard worker, Nick always made the time to stop and listen to the world. Nick was a warm-hearted good person whom always had the best of intentions. Nick met Audrey in 1982 and became high school sweethearts and spent many weekends at the family cottage in Beresford. They married in 1988 and five years later started a family raising two successful sons, always guiding and teaching along the way to be independent strong men whom he became very proud of. In 2014, Nick and Audrey purchased a three-acre property in Kleefeld, and enjoyed gardening, took many walks, had many fires, wiener roasts, and watched the sunset over the back bush on the back deck.

As per Nick’s wishes, no service will be held.

I needed the quiet, so he drew me aside -

Into the shadows where we could confide;

Away from the hustle

where all the day long

I hurried and worried

when active and strong.



I needed the quiet,

though at first I rebelled,

But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld,

And whispered so sweetly

of spiritual things, -

Though weakened in body

my spirit took wings

To heights never dreamed of

when active and gay.

He loved me so gently, He drew me away.



I needed the quiet, no prison my bed

But a beautiful valley of blessing instead:

A place to grow richer, in Jesus to hide

I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside.

Rest my love for your job is done,

It’s your time now you’ve had a long run.

I will see you again

when my time has come,

Make sure that you have a rod,

so I can catch one!

I love you forever my heart you have won,

Goodnight my love till I come.

Arrangements by:

BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL CO-OP

1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 18, 2023, Nov 18, 2023