DERKSEN, Maria
Posted: March 16th, 2021
Maria “Mary” Derksen
1929 – 2021
Mary Derksen of Lethbridge, Alberta passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre on March 13, 2021.
Born November 26, 1929 to John and Agnes Friesen in Osler Saskatchewan. She was the second oldest of nine children.
Mom was very dedicated to her family and relatives, raising six boys and spending time with her nephews and nieces. She was an excellent home maker. She had a special talent for cooking and baking, sewing, crocheting, and various arts and crafts. She was fond of farm animals, especially chickens and horses. She loved to sing while doing the housework and daily chores, and she loved to laugh.
Mary was very active in church events and activities at the Evangelical Free Church of Lethbridge. She taught Sunday school, helped with the Pioneer Girl’s group, was a counsellor at evangelistic crusades, sang in the choir at the church and crusades, and helped in the kitchen at the Southern Alberta Bible Camp. Mom was a very dedicated Christian who loved the Lord, and she instilled in her children a deep faith in God.
Mom and Dad were married in 1949. Dad joined the Air Force soon after and they moved their growing family to Air Force Bases in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. They left the Air Force in 1963 and moved back to Coaldale, and then Lethbridge. Mom spent many years alone in Lethbridge after Dads passing in 1993.
Mary leaves to mourn her passing 6 sons Jim (Linda) Derksen, John (Kathy) Derksen, Dennis (Wynanda) Derksen, Allen (Lois) Derksen, Ernie (Val) Derksen, Glen Derksen; 11 grandchildren Mike Derksen, Tim Derksen, Becky Derksen, Dan Derksen, Josh Derksen, Andrew Derksen, Naomi Derksen, Carina(Jon)Kwok, Carly(Josh)Comeau, Aaron Derksen, Amanda Derksen; 5 great grandchildren Nathan Kwok, Wyatt Kwok, Stella Comeau, Ruby Comeau, Bowden Peters; 1 brother George Friesen; 1 sister-in-law Nettie Friesen as well as many nephews, nieces and friends.
Mary was predeceased by her father and mother John and Agnes Friesen, husband Henry “Hank” Derksen; 4 grandchildren Jamie Derksen, Marina Derksen, Gregory Derksen, Andrew Derksen; 4 brothers Pete (Darlene) Friesen, John (Nettie) Friesen, Henry (Florence) Friesen, Jake (Kay) Friesen; 3 sisters Katherine (John) Neufeld, Margaret (Jim) Etherington, Helen (Angus) Ramage; 2 nephews Roger Friesen, Todd Friesen.
A private family service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream at www.mbfunerals.com and scrolling to the bottom of Mary’s obituary.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
Jim and Linda, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family as you mourn the loss of your Mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.