Mrs. Bep Lambertha Hamer

Bep was born in Ede, Holland, on February 22, 1942, at the height of World War II. Some of her happiest early memories were of the time she spent with her beloved Oma and Opa Schimmel. Holland and her Dutch family remained an important part of her life, and those relationships continue across generations.

Bep and her family departed Holland in January 1952 aboard the Zuiderkruis, arriving in Canada at Pier 21 in Halifax. She celebrated her 10th birthday in Montreal, en route to Saskatchewan, where she built a remarkable life.

Swift Current was her home and community for more than forty years, and it was there that she raised her family, built her businesses and formed friendships that would last a lifetime.

Seven years ago, Bep left Swift Current and moved to Saskatoon, beginning the final chapter of her life closer to her family. She was blessed to spend her final years at Samaritan Place, where she was surrounded by extraordinary care, kindness and love, and where she formed many special relationships with those who cared for her.

Gramma Bep remained interested in the lives of those she loved and, right to the end, remained very much herself — strong, aware and quite capable of letting everyone know exactly what she wanted.

Bep was predeceased by her parents, Teunis and Maria Schimmel; her husband, Jack Hamer; her sister, Marianne Janz; her brother, Martin Schimmel; and her nephew, Arie Schimmel.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Adele (Jerry) Kulyk, Maria (Herb) Vanderzwaag, and Ken (Deanna) Hamilton; grandchildren, Jonathan (Emeri) Kulyk, Brandon Kulyk (Brooklyn), Joshua Vanderzwaag (Hannah), Zachary Vanderzwaag (Irene), Stephanie Hamilton (Dustan), Matthew (Nelly) Hamilton, and Eric (Jenna) Hamilton; and her great-grandchildren, William Kulyk, Porter, Emmie and Lennyn Hanson, Avery and Lainey Hamilton.

Her stepchildren, Alex (Deb) Hamer and Rose Ann Hamer, and their families who also remain an important part of Bep’s family: Jason Baum, Lindsey Baum, Tricia (Mark) Gravelle, Jesse and Noah; Jeanine (Jeff) Beaudry, Ayden, Emery, Sylena and Jack; Amanda (Kyle) Campbell, Gracii, Davis, Bennett and Amara.

Bep will also be dearly missed by her friend of more than fifty years, Dolores Trepanier, and by all those who loved Gramma Bep so dearly.

She is survived by her sisters, Anne (Tim) Ward-Neville and Janet (Pat) Loyer; her brothers, John (Betty) Schimmel, Jack (Phyllis) Schimmel and Tony (Patricia) Schimmel; her sister-in-law, Rae Schimmel; numerous nieces and nephews; and her extended family in Canada and Holland.

A celebration of Bep’s life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Windsor Chapel, 704 Windsor Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.