NIEBOER, Henrietta

Henrietta Nieboer

1921 – 2021

Mrs. Henrietta Nieboer of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. William Nieboer, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Good Samaritan Society Park Meadows Village on Monday, January 25, 2021, at the grand old age of 99 years.

Henrietta was born October 2, 1921, to Cornelis and Willemina Withage. She was raised on a farm south of Nobleford with her older brother John. She attended Noble Central School and dreamed of becoming a nurse at a time when women working outside the home was not generally accepted. With her parents’ support and encouragement, she enrolled in the Galt School of Nursing, graduating in 1944 and nursing in clinics in Raymond and Lethbridge, and at the Galt.

In 1947, she married Bill Nieboer and they farmed near Nobleford until moving to Lethbridge in 1960. They were blessed with four daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Thirty-one years of happy marriage came to an end when Bill passed away on January 7, 1979. Henrietta had returned to nursing at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital in 1961 and continued in her beloved profession until retirement in 1986. By then she had earned the respect and gratitude of many patients and families whose lives she had touched with her proficient and compassionate care, as well as those who were privileged to work with and learn from her. Celebrating her 75th Galt class anniversary on June 1, 2019, with so many alumni friends was a cherished memory.

Henrietta was an exuberant Christian and active member of Trinity United Reformed Church, faithfully attending weekly services in person until recently, and then online. Throughout nearly a century of life’s challenges and triumphs, 42 years of widowhood, and many joys and sorrows, never did she know a single day without the loving care of her faithful Saviour. Right to the end she readily shared and lived her faith. Her family was instilled with the principles of loving God and your neighbour, diligence, integrity, kindness, and generosity. Daily scripture reading and prayer and regular formal worship was taught and practiced in our home. Visitors received a warm welcome and a radiant smile, and when someone needed help, there she was. “Give unto others” was not just a motto but a mandate.

Special holidays and family events were always huge, and her delicious feasts served on immaculate linen, gleaming silverware, china, and crystal are still legendary. Each family received a big box of Christmas cookies and homemade raisin bread. As the families grew and spread out, those cookies were carefully packed and shipped around the world ahead of the postal rush, arriving fresh and intact. Henrietta was a list person. NASA could take tips from her meticulous planning and execution of events. Normally shunning the spotlight, she surprised family and friends with a detailed three-day celebration of her 80th birthday. It was her day, but as with everything she did, every child, grandchild, great grandchild, and guest felt valued and special. A truly beautiful woman, a wonderful matriarch, a faithful friend. We are ever grateful for her wisdom, strength of faith and character, unfailing love, and all her prayers for us. What a legacy! We will miss her so!

Henrietta always hoped to make it to 100 and get a letter from the Queen! But as her health declined and life became a struggle in recent weeks, she increasingly looked forward to leaving her worn out body behind and going to heaven to live forever with Jesus. What a relief to know that she is now free, praising God in perfect joy and peace.

Besides her husband Bill, Henrietta was predeceased by infant twin sisters (1920); parents (1971, 1977); brother John (1984); sister-in-law Lana (2015), and all of Bill’s family: Harm (Jantina), John (Marie), Anna Vos (Be), Jenne (Minnie, Hilda), Bernard (Mary), Anno (Hilda); as well as two granddaughters, Kathryn Scheurkogel (1980), Leslie DeWeert (2019), and several nieces and nephews.

Surviving are her loving daughters and sons-in-law Phyllis & George Kaiser and children (Steven & Nicole DeWeert, Teresa & Brent Bonter, David DeWeert, Doug & Anne Marie DeWeert); Shirley & Joe Schalk and children (Greg & Feona, Kevin & Nadia, Carolyn & Tony Kalf); Marjorie & Dick Scheurkogel and children (Kenneth, Michael, Jeffrey & Jessica, Allison & Timothy Van der Woerd); and Loretta Kopp and sons (Timothy & William). Cherishing their great grandma’s memory: Devon & Tyrell DeWeert, Derek, Jeremy, Kimberly, & Amber Bonter, Michael & Jayne DeWeert, Jerod & Davis Schalk, Adam & Ryan Schalk, Madeleine & Owen Kalf, Sophia, Noah, Emma, Zachariah, & Arwyn Scheurkogel, and Anna-Belle & Talon Kopp. She will also be fondly remembered by cousin Hilda Withage and family, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A public Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, please call Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels at 403-328-2361 to ensure an available time slot.

A private family Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, January 29, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream by going to https://www.mbfunerals.com/ and clicking on her obituary, the link will be available at the bottom of the page.

A private Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, January 29, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream by going to https://www.mbfunerals.com/ and clicking on her obituary, the link will be available at the bottom of the page.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.