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Elly Reitsma, age 92, went home to be with her Lord on March 30th, 2013, the day before we all celebrated Easter. It seemed so very fitting that we should be remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus, as this time. We celebrate this as the very reason our Mother is with our Saviour.

She was born the 4th of 6 children in Workum, Friesland, the Netherlands. There she met and married the love of her life, Wiepke (Bill) Reitsma in 1942. They were blessed with 69 years of married life before Dad was called home on Sept. 8, 2011.

Together, they raised 4 children in Holland, then immigrated to Canada in 1953, where their last 2 children were born.

Mom was very active in her community, whether in the role of a participant of the first fund-raisers for the Christian School known as the “Willing Workers”, rolling bandages for the Clinic, or knitting her more than 800 toques, and countless (hundreds of) pairs of socks for needy children in distant countries.

She was also a proud participant in the Senior Games for many years, along with Dad, and one of her favorite hobbies was tending her beautiful flowers.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, Bill Reitsma, (2011) and a son, Fred (1951).

She is survived by children Robert (Deborah) Reitsma of Alto, MI; Julia (Jim) Ippel of Terrace, B.C.; Henry (Dorothy) Reitsma of Houston, BC; Charles (Joyce) Reitsma of Houston, BC; Margaret (Ray) Matthews of Houston, BC; Rita (Bud) Sherman of Gwynne, AB; 24 Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, and 2 Great-great-grandchildren. Mom is also survived by one brother (Thom and wife Trijntje) remaining in Holland, plus many nieces, nephews and friends.

Safe in the Arms of Jesus



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