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Fennie Meints

November 20, 1926 - June 10, 2017


Fennie was born on November 20, 1926 in Assen, Drenthe, the Netherlands. She was the fourth of five children born to Jouke and Janna Post.


After finishing her schooling, Fennie started to do housekeeping for different families, as well as helping her own parents. She was known to have had her own families laundry washed, starting at 6am on a rented machine, before she went out to her regular job.


Fennie loved to sing and was part of the church choir. In October 1953, the choir travelled by bus to Groningen to join a mass choir, and it just so happened that a young man by the name of Auke Meints was on the bus as well. The courtship began.

Auke emigrated with his family in May of 1954 to Canada, but the romance did not end. A once-a-week letter writing campaign continued for 48 weeks until Fennie boarded her own ship to the new country. She landed in Montreal and then travelled to Houston by train.


She was scheduled to arrive on August 15, 1955 at the Houston train depot, so Auke, his brother Tieme and John Vandermooren thought it would be a great idea to travel to Prince George – by train- and meet her there. Funny thing about good ideas… their trains met along the way, with Fennie arriving in Houston, while Auke and his friends arrived in Prince George. Fennie settled into Houston very quickly, and continued in her housekeeping job, helping different church families.


On June 5, 1956, Auke and Fennie were married in a double ceremony with John and Fimke (nee Meints) tenBrinke. Their home was soon filled with 6 sons (1 who died in infancy) and 2 daughters. She now had her own family to care for, and care she did. She made at least 10 long loaves of bread each week, (kneading by hand!), as well as raisin and sugar bread, preparing meals in addition to her regular homemaking tasks kept her busy. Sunday lunches were always a joy with chicken noodle soup and fried chicken.


Though busy at home, Fennie was also active in the Ladies Aid, Bible studies, choir, driving on different school trips or helping out family and friends. She loved to go visit, and would often do so many mornings each week.


Fennie loved to play games like Yahtzee, dominoes, cards, and Scrabble (this she would play against herself, without cheating, if no one else was around). Fishing and camping were also of great interest. Catching a 19lb steelhead was a highlight. She loved to go for drives with Auke, whether to Manitoba, the Fraser Valley or the farm.


In the last years with Fennie struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, things had changed. But with her husband at her side, she was enabled to continue to experience the joys of life.


Fennie was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her faithfulness and love of her Saviour, though not spoken out loud very often, was evident in her actions her whole life long.


Fennie will be lovingly remembered by:

Husband of 61 years: Auke Meints

Her children: Andy and Jan Meints; Jack and Regina Meints; Clarence and Sharon Meints; Henry and Bonnie Meints; Tiemo Meints and Katie Salter; Jane Meints; Clarinda and Tim Penninga. 22 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren


As a family, we would like to say a huge thank you to all who took part in the caring for my wife, our Mom, Grandma and Oma. To the doctors and nurses at the BV District Hospital, to the doctors and nurses in the Houston Clinic and to the nurses and care workers in the Houston Care Unit. Also, to the Home Care workers in the last days - you are wonderful. May you all be blessed in your task of caring for others.



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