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VANDENBRINK

April 24, 2008

VANDENBRINK 1931- 2008 Maas "Max" VandenBrink of Red Deer, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Red Deer Hospice on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at the age of 76 years. Max was born on November 7, 1931 in Enschede, Netherlands. He is survived by his wife, Ethel, his five children: Susan Gerein, Antony (Donna) and James all of Wilkie, Saskatchewan; Cheryl Lee (Kent) Andersson of Cochrane, Alberta; Miriam (Ray) Weibel of Donalda, Alberta, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and his children's mother, Lucy Ingram of Red Deer, Alberta. Max is also survived by his siblings: Tony (Kay), Jake (Truus), Casey (Evelyn), George (Leany), Femmie (Eb) Tenhove, Anne (Dan) Pohl, Cobi (Henk) Visser, Jean (Robert) Pohl, Ben (Denise), Marijke (John) Gough, Johanna (Alex) Wiersma, a sister-in-law, Carol Hansen, or as Max loved to recite; "Tony, Jaap, Maas, Corrie, Geert, Femmie, Toosje, Cobi, Dienie, Bennie, Dickie, Marijke, Hannie" and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He is also survived by Ethel's siblings: Jennie Reay, Bruce Wall, Mae (Harvey) Seim, Margaret Wall and many nieces and nephews. Max was predeceased by his parents, Jacoba Jantina Dijks-van den Brink (1963) and Bernardus van den Brink (1967) and a brother, Dirk (1995). He was very proud of his children, his extended family and his Dutch heritage. He enjoyed family gatherings, especially the annual reunion. Max had a full and varied life. He immigrated from the Netherlands in 1950 and worked a variety of jobs: on a farm, at PTS, at a gold mine in Whitehorse, in the oil patch, at a mink farm in New Westminster and as a fireman in Melbourne, Australia. He was a branch manager of a trust company for three years, had a successful career in real estate for ten years, achieving top awards. Intertwining through these jobs he did what he loved best, landscape and design, and growing Colorado spruce trees. Max traveled extensively in Europe, the United States and Canada. He returned to Australia to show his daughter, Susan, where she was born and to revisit the fire stations where he had worked. Max was an avid marathoner and a competitor in swimming, walking and biking. He won many medals in the Alberta Senior Games and the Senior Olympics in Palm Springs, California. He was a director for the Red Deer District Senior Games. Max spoke openly of his faith, loved singing and sang in choral groups. He led a hymn sing at the Red Deer Nursing Home for many years. Max was enthusiastic in all aspects of his life. In the last five years he suffered from a neurological disorder that progressively limited his mobility, coordination and quality of life. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at Eventide Funeral Chapel, 4820-45 Street, Red Deer on Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 6-8:00 p.m. The Interment will be held at the Alto-Reste Cemetery, Highway 11 East and Township Road 270, Red Deer County on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16 McVicar Street, Red Deer on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded to the family through www.eventidefuneralchapels.com Service and Interment Providers: EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS 4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer. Phone 347-2222.