HARDWOOD HILL, Pictou County, NS – With fond and loving memories, the family of Engelbertus Dunnewold release him into the arms of his Lord and Savior, to be surrounded by his loved ones in heaven.
Born in Winterswijk, The Netherlands on January 12, 1921, Bert spent his youth yearning to be a farmer. He immigrated to Canada in 1953 with his young family, where he pursued this dream. Together with his children, Hank and Rika, they mourned the death of his wife, their mother, Janna in 1972. Soon after, when Hank took over the family farm, Bert would go on to drive school bus #1 for West Pictou. This was a job he enjoyed thoroughly, and one he was proud of, for nearly 15 years. After his retirement, Bert and his wife Annie enjoyed spending winter months in Florida, where Bert learned the craft of wood-carving. Bert had a love for animals and hobby farming, especially his horses. He was an avid gardener and he enjoyed being quite self-sufficient with his bountiful harvests. His grandchildren were also a highlight of his life and he was proud of each one. With his twinkling blue eyes and easy laughter, Bert was a good friend to many and he valued and respected each person he would meet. Bert had a special voice that he dedicated to various choirs and singing groups. A man of deep faith, Bert also served in many roles in the church.
Bert was predeceased by his wife, Janna (Hillen); his second wife, Annie (Klein-Geltink); step-daughter, Jane; son, Hank; and siblings, Jan (in infancy), Jan, Gerrit, Truida, Grada, and Johan.
He is survived by his daughter, Rika (Martin) Cheverie; step-sons, Ben (Christine), John (Mary Beth), Carl (Wilma), Gerald (Rita), and Bruce (Ida) Klein-Geltink; brother, Henk (Hanna); sister, Riek Reusink; grandchildren, Hilda (Scott), Sarah (Luciano), Albert (Shelly), Jackie (John), Kristin, and Kelsey; adored great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Marissa, Mahalia, Noah, Marco, Jake, Anneka, Melody and Desirae; special loved ones, Ruth Wortman, Herma Binnema, Tony Prinsen, Anja (Joe), Gerard, Kathleen and Madeline; Sean, Barbie, Elizabeth, Aaron, Alicia, and Victoria.
Visitation will be held 2-4, 7-9 p.m. today (Thursday) in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Friday from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Pictou, with Rev. Gail Johnson-Murdock officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Family flowers only please. Donations in his memory may be made to the IWK Health Centre Foundation: Haematology-Oncology Department.
On-line condolences: mclarenfuneral.ca