JAN (JOHN) VAN MULLIGEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JAN (JOHN) VAN MULLIGEN

July 4, 1926 – December 24, 2023

John Van Mulligen, the beloved husband of 70 years of the late Lammy Van Mulligen, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at the age of 97 years in Brandon, Manitoba.



John leaves to cherish his memory, seven children: Lou (Marlene) Van Mulligen, John (Loree) Van Mulligen, Bruce (Jan) van Mulligen, Irene (John) Vannus, Gordon (Kris) Van Mulligen, Susan (Murray) Duncalfe, and Karen (Wendell) Nelson; 19 grandchildren: Jason, Heather, Laura, Lisa, Matthew, Jessica, Tyler, Calvin, Denny, Dustin, Denver, Dallas, Kiefer, Kyle, Julianna, Marcie, Shelby, Cody, and Niki; and 27 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by his siblings Roelof van Mulligen, Hennie van Mulligen, Truus van der Brienk, and Miek van Mulligen, all of the Netherlands. He was predeceased by his siblings Hein van Mulligen, Gre van Mulligen, Henk van Mulligen, Ge DeRoo, Roelie Timmerman, Jannie van Mulligen, Hanna van Mulligen, and Jannie van Zettern.



John was born July 4, 1926, to Lolke and Lammigje van Mulligen who owned and operated a windmill to grind grain near Koekange, Drenthe, the Netherlands. He lived his teen years during the five-year occupation of the Netherlands during The Second World War, after which he served three years with the Royal Netherlands Army in Indonesia.



He married the love of his life on January 19, 1951, and together John and Lammy immigrated to Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. John came as a sponsored dairy farm worker and within a few years was operating a dairy barn at the Brandon Mental Health Center. After much self-study, he became the Head Gardner operating the greenhouse and beautifying the wards and expansive hospital grounds with his abundant flowers. Later, John and Lammy worked together in their own “John’s Greenhouse” on Brandon’s North Hill which became well known for its high-quality poinsettias, potted mums, Easter Lilies, and bedding plants.



Throughout his life, John worshipped and served in many capacities with the First Christian Reformed Church and the First Presbyterian Church in Brandon. His faith was central in his home. As his children, we have so many good memories of travel, camping, boating, fishing, and family gatherings with Mom and Dad.



Dad loved to drive, and after retirement, Mom and Dad would regularly drive long distances across Canada and the USA to tour and visit family and friends. They also loved to visit brothers and sisters in the Netherlands.



The family would like to say a special thank you to the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for Dad in his final years.



A funeral service will be held at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, Brandon, MB, on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Glenn Ball officiating. Viewing will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. You are invited to view the service via livestream through John’s memorial page at www.memorieschapel.com starting at 2:00 p.m. CST. A reception at Memories Chapel will immediately follow the service. Interment will then take place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.



Donations in memory of John may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society of Manitoba, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2B7 or a charity of your choice.

Condolences: www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 30, 2023, Dec 30, 2023