Gerrit den Boer

He was a loving and devoted husband and will be greatly missed by his wife Anneke, of 64 years. His absence will be keenly felt by his children Bill (Jeanette), Joanne, Elsa, and Anita (Steve), 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Nell Visscher, Mary Sterkenburg, and Elsa (Frank) Torfs; sisters-in-law Hillie den Boer, Elizabeth den Boer, Connie MacDonald, Corrie Van Mersbergen, brother-in-law Theo Sterkenburg and many nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased by his brothers John and Leonard, and brothers-in-law Adrian Sterkenburg and Pete Visscher.

Dad was born in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, on March 9, 1936, to Willem and Suzanna den Boer. He immigrated to Canada in 1952 on the "Groote Beer", and married Anneke in 1957. Having been trained in the pastry/baking school in Den Haag, he found employment as a baker in Chilliwack and White Rock. While working full time, Dad obtained his high school diploma and a bachelor of arts degree in English. He attended theological school where he learned Greek and Hebrew.

Dad loved music, especially organ and sacred music. He served as an elder in the FRC and NRC congregations. He loved the Word of God, having experienced its enlightening and transforming power in his life. Dad delighted in the experimental preaching of God’s Word. This enabled him in his work as the general secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society (Canada) for many years, promoting the distribution of the Holy Scriptures.

It was God’s grace that led Dad through this life and now he has received his heart’s desire and may say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4: 7,8

An opportunity to express drive-by condolences will be given on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Bethel Netherlands Reformed Church. The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bethel Reformed Church, 8920 Broadway Street, Chilliwack, with Rev. Van Ruitenburg officiating. A private family interment to follow at Chilliwack Cemeteries, 10010 Hillcrest Drive. All the Lord willing.

You may listen to the service by accessing the following: https://www.nrcchilliwack.org

https://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=bnrcchilliwack

To view Gerrit den Boer's Graveside Service at 11:30 am, click on the link below:

https://www.legacystreaming.com/dignity-chilliwack/

In lieu of flowers, donations given to the Trinitarian Bible Society (Canada), 9136 Young Road, Chilliwack BC V2P 4R4 would be gratefully received.

A special thank you to Drs. C. Ross (long time family doctor), C. Leger (hematologist), H. Wong and the Kidney Care Team, and M. Klaus (rheumatologist) for their loving care for Dad as well as Dani, Mark, Matt and the medical staff of 4 South of Chilliwack General Hospital. We are especially grateful to Cathy Vrieselaar and the staff at Sunset Manor for their excellent care of our dear parents.

Sympathy cards may be sent to: Anneke den Boer, c/o Sunset Manor, 8920 Broadway, Unit 211, Chilliwack, BC V2P5W1

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawn-mtcheam.ca for the den Boer family.