April 10, 1930 - December 14, 2021
Mrs. Anna Berendina Gebbink (nee Klein GoldeWijk) passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the Red Deer Hospice, Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the age of 91 years. Anna was born on April 10, 1930 in Marienvelde, Netherlands. She trained as a seamstress, and teacher, after World War II. As her and Ben planned, she followed him and immigrated to Canada in 1953. She made the trip with her sister in a converted WW II Cargo Plane. The plane made stops, to refuel, in Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, and Gander before landing in Montreal. They then spent three nights and two days travelling across Canada by train. She met Ben in Pincher Creek and they were married in Twin Butte in November 1953. They moved to Red Deer in 1956 and bought an acreage west of town. There, they planted a huge garden. The kids have many memories of picking and shelling peas and snapping beans for hours on end. As the kids grew up and left home a large part of the garden was converted to perennial flowers. In 2015, they moved into Victoria Park, where they enjoyed their retirement. Declining health resulted in Anna being placed in the Red Deer Hospice on December 6, 2021.
Anna was a very friendly and outgoing person; she loved nothing better than to have a conversation with someone. Anna was always there to support her children and loved watching her grandchildren's activities. Like all Europeans, Anna loved watching Soccer. Anna and Ben took their first trip back to the Netherlands in 1975, and returned there many times to visit family and friends. They travelled throughout Canada and the United States. They especially enjoyed their trip to the Maritimes. Anna will be lovingly remembered by her children, Lucy, Martin (Candy), Felix (Helen), Don (JoAnn), Theresa (Wes Van Bavel); her eleven grandchildren and her eight great grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her sister, Dinnie of the Netherlands; as well as numerous family members and dear friends. Anna was predeceased by her husband, Ben on January 1, 2021; a daughter, Sylvia in 1981; her parents, Johannes and Beredina; and her sisters, Wilhemein, Riek, Marie, Fien, and Tonnie. Anna's family would like to thank the staff and residents of Victoria Park for their care and friendship for the six years Anna was there. It is truly a wonderful place. Also, thanks to the staff at the Red Deer Hospice for your loving care of mom. A Private Family Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Deer. Interment will be held at the Red Deer Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Anna's honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice.com
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
Parkland Funeral Home