Johanna (Van Nieuwkerk) Van Gyssel

Joanne Van Gyssel (Van Nieuwkerk) passed away on May 26, 2022 in hospital in Lacombe, Alberta, surrounded by her children.

Johanna Van Nieuwkerk was born on April 17, 1929 in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.  She immigrated to Canada in 1956 and married George Van Gyssel on March 29, 1957.

Mom lived a life dedicated to worshipping her heavenly Father.  She was devoted to her husband and children.  She loved being a farm wife.  She was an avid gardener and helped out in the barn and in the field when her children were small.  She was a very energetic and loving grandmother having her grandchildren over often and taking them on interesting day trips. 

Joanne volunteered at the Alberta Hospital Ponoka for many years.  She was an active member of Community Friends, a visiting group from Ponoka FCSS.  She was a great supporter of Christian education, having sent all 5 of her children to Christian schools.  Most of her grandchildren graduated from Central Alberta Christian High School.  She was also a member of the Lacombe Christian School Board and the Ponoka Christian School Board. 

When Mom and Dad retired, they moved to their retirement home in Ponoka where they lived together for 9 years.  After Dad passed away, Mom lived there another 9 years there before moving to Lacombe.  She lived in her condo at the Peppertree Place for 13 years.  Last December 1, 2021, she moved to the Seniors Citizens Lodge.  She resided there until going into hospital on April 3, 2022.

Joanne was predeceased by her husband George, of 42 years on December 2, 1999.  She was also predeceased by her parents and her brothers Rien and Gerrit, and brother-in-law John Van Woerden.  She was predeceased by all of George’s brothers and sisters and their spouses in Ontario and in the Netherlands.

She is survived by her sister Trudy Van Woerden, of British Columbia, and her three children and their families, and by two sister-in-laws, Ineke Van Nieuwkerk and Ina Van Nieuwkerk and their families, of the Netherlands.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

Janet Noordhof; Joanna (Luis) Luna, Eva, Sofia, and Ana; April (Caswell) Johnstone, Jeremy, Audrey, Nicholas, and Oliver; Wendell (Kate) Noordhof, Wesley; Heather (Adam) Eisses, Elanor; and Geoffrey Noordhof.

Barbara (Rod) Venhuis, Amberly Venhuis; Brent (Jessica) Venhuis, Madelynn, and Mark; Brianna Venhuis, and Daniel Venhuis.

Hilda (Ron) Nowochin; Camille (Tyler) Smith, Lea, and Grady; Caryn Dykstra (Jackson Bloemmeart); James (Tina) Dykstra, Payton, Jocelyn, and Erin; Courtenay (Daniel) Dickson; and Cathlyn Duckworth, Gabriel and Aria.

John (Dana) van Gyssel; Justin (Ashley) van Gyssel, Renn; Blair van Gyssel (Jordan Denis); and Erica van Gyssel (Kingston Stanley).

Cora (Pete) Hoekstra; David Hoekstra; Michelle (Rob) DeRegt, Mason, Clara, Evan, and Brenna; Stephanie (Joe) Thalen, Aiden, Logan, Easton, and Myla; and Diana (Mitchell) Miedema.

We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who took care of Mom while she was in hospital.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, June 01, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Forest Home Cemetery in Ponoka, AB. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, June 01, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Bethel Christian Reformed Church. 

Live Streaming of the Service can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMj_NnKyW-Ax_3OlMsH2neQ

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Joanne’s memory may be made to the Christian School in your community.

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