de KONING, Hendrika

de KONING

1938 – 2020

Our hearts are broken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mom and Omi, HENDRIKA “HENNIE” de KONING, on Saturday November 7, 2020 at the age of 81 years.

Hennie was the beloved wife of Jack; cherished mom of Susan (Darryl) Harms, Michelle (Jeff) Woodman, and Diane (David) Visser; and loving Omi of Lauren (Cody) Friesen, Meghan (Nick) Visser-Johnson, and Shane Visser. She also leaves behind her siblings: Nell (Bill-dec.) Ouwerkerk, Bill (Harriet-dec.) van Waardhuizen, Dan (Helen) van Waardhuizen, Cor (Jake-dec.) Aleman, Mary (Harm-dec.) DeMooy, Pete-dec. (Joan) van Waardhuizen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by infant son Michael and brother Pete van Waardhuizen.

Hennie was born to Pieter and Hendrika van Waardhuizen in Leiden, Holland on December 3, 1938. The family came to Canada in 1952 and settled in the Coaldale area; then lived briefly in Victoria, BC before returning to Alberta, in the Fort Macleod area.

It was there that Hennie met Jack while she was working in a local clothing store. They married on August 26, 1967 and lived and raised their girls on the family farm for the next 47 years. In 2014, they retired to Lethbridge, and enjoyed their beautiful home by the lake.

It is difficult to sum up in a few sentences everything she was to us. Hennie was fiercely loyal to her family, had a strong faith in God, and served faithfully in her church. She was incredibly kind and generous to those around her, and beyond. She truly loved to give. She was very creative, creating many beautiful needlework crafts for her family to cherish. Hennie also loved music, reading, spending time with her family, and taking long drives in the country with Jack.

Hennie fought congestive heart failure for ten years, and as such the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation (hsf.ca). We’d also like to thank Dr. Zielke, Dr. Musk, the Heart Function Clinic, and countless nurses for the excellent care Hennie received in these last years.

A Celebration of Hennie’s Life will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. The service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Hennie’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com