John Jacob Ree

John Jacob Ree

July 11, 1934-April 23, 2019

John Jacob Ree, of Bentley Alberta, passed away peacefully at the Rimbey Hospital at the age of 84 years.  He was pre-deceased by his wife Chloe, and his parents Hans and Shirley Ree, and sister-in-law, Julie Ree.

Left to mourn, but in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, are his children: David Ree, Kevin (Shelly) Ree, Laura (Rick) Woycenko, Melanie (Dave) Donegan, and Chloe’s children: Craig (Catherine) Marney, Kevin (Rema) Marney, Lisa (Al) Ouellette, Eric (Melisa) Marney, Karen (Steven) Mydland, along with his grandchildren; Anna, Marta and Jacob Ree, Riley and Owen Woycenko, Jessica and Sarah Donegan, Brendan Marney, Danny (Melodie) and Dylan Ouellette, and Austin and Hayley Mydland.  John will be deeply missed by his brothers; Paul, Owen (Pat), Buren (Elaine), Mark (Joan), and sisters Janice (Les) and June (Dwaine), as well as numerous nephews and nieces, and dear friends and neighbours.

John was born in Jackson, Minnesota, the first of seven children, to Hans and Shirley Ree.  Shortly after his arrival, John moved with his parents to the Ree homestead west of Bentley.  He enjoyed farm life and the responsibility of being the eldest.  He attended Olds College and then started farming, met and married Betty, and raised his family on the Green Glen Farm nestled in the Sunset Hills.  He later met Chloe at Camp Kuriakos and in 1981 they were married and spent many happy years together.

John was an active cattleman and farmer until his stroke in mid- December and watching his Murray Grey calves on warm spring days was a cherished pastime.  John’s faith and community was extremely important to him, as was evidenced by his active engagement, leadership, and service to many community projects, including the Bentley General Hospital and later Care Centre, County Council and School boards, the Blindman Valley Agricultural Center, the Kinsman Club, 4H Club, Camp Kuriakos, the Canadian Murray Grey Association, and Grace Lutheran Church.  John loved mentoring young people and felt it was particularly important to keep people talking and working toward a common goal in order to get things built.

John enjoyed a good cup of coffee, great neighbours, and the opportunities to gather together with his family.  He particularly loved to sing in church, or on the tractor, or in the shop, and would often treat us to a favourite song.  John’s faith in the grace and mercy of Christ Jesus was solid and deep and an example to us all.

Funeral Services will be held through Grace Lutheran Church at the Blindman Valley Agricultural Centre on Tuesday, April 30th at 1pm, with interment at the Vig Cemetery, Rev. Art Weiss and Rev. Gary Buckley presiding.  Lunch & fellowship follow in Bentley at the Ag Centre.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in John’s name to be made to Grace Lutheran Church.

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