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September 11, 1933 - September 22, 2021
In memory of Arie (Archie) Brienen ~
Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd;
I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Arie (Archie) Brienen was born September 11,1933 in Brabants, Netherlands. He was the oldest son to John Cornelius and Elisabeth Brienen. He had two younger brothers, Henry, and John.
He came to Canada with his parents when he was 4 years old. They moved to the old homestead across the field from where Archie and Jean lived for the past 52 years. He lived within a 2-mile radius of the farm since he was 4. He came from a time where you started working at an early age, and he helped his dad on the farm when he was not even big enough to rig up the horses.
Archie was 19 when he took an interest in Regina Aleida Hofsink, 5 years later, April 10, 1958, a few months before she turned 19, and he was 25, they were married. Claudia, John, Bill, and Arch arrived in the following 6 years.
Archie was a mechanic, he was part owner of Nadina Truck, he drove logging truck and bought his own new logging truck. John and Bill both worked for him at the shop, they did their Heavy-Duty Mechanic apprenticeship under dad.
Dad loved being outdoors, and he shared that with us all, he loved to take us hunting, horseback riding, and snowmobiling when we were growing up.
Dad loved nothing better than to load up his quad and go trail riding with his family. He also loved to take his grandsons hunting.
Dad would come over anytime to help with whatever we were doing, whether it was butchering something, building, mechanics, or sharpening kitchen knives.
Dad loved desert, especially huckleberry cheesecake, he would have it for breakfast, and then at coffee time another big piece. And then in his coffee he would use one of those sugar replacer tablets because he had to watch his sugar intake.
One of the saddest days for dad and mom was when their youngest son, Arch died November 9, 2016.
But dad's greatest legacy was his faith in God and his unfailing love for mom, his children, his 14 grand-children and 39 great grandchildren.
Their oldest great grandson started the name grumps, he couldn't say gramps, and the name stuck to not just the great grandkids but the grandchildren also and even us kids started calling dad grumps. He was very much loved and will be missed more than words can say.
The day after dad died, we started a family page called Grump's Pics. Within 24 hours there were over 250 pictures of dad with mom, his kids and grandkids and great grandkids. Dad and mom loved spending time with their kids, special times with Bill and Madelene at Haida Gwai, with John and Clara on a trip to Hawaii, and many hours with Claudia and Henry at their place on the lake.
Along with many other times with their family, boating on the ocean, camping over the years and many special occasions.
Dad loved the Lord and was ready to meet Him. On dads last day mom started reciting Psalm 23, (Their wedding text) and dad finished it with her. Dad's last words were "I fear no evil"
Dad died on September 22, 2021. He was 88 years old.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Jean Brienen-Hofsink, and his children, Claudia (Henry) Hansma, John (Clara) Brienen, Bill (Madelene) Brienen, and 14 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren
For those wishing to livestream the service it will be October 1 @ 3 pm on YouTube, under Houston Canadian Reformed Church.



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