Jeanne (Jennie) Steringa (nee Pikkert)
Our family is so very sad to announce the passing of Jeanne (Jennie) Steringa. Mom passed away on July 29th, 2020 after facing her illness with acceptance and contentment. She was determined to do what she could to enjoy the time she had left with us. We are thankful that she was able to enjoy a reasonably good quality of life in their beautiful apartment looking over the lake in Camrose, up until close to the end. She was a follower of Christ, and her faith in the love and grace of God gave her great peace about where she was going. We are delighted that she is happy and well now.
Pete and Jennie were together for 60 years, married for 58, and while Dad knows where she is and is happy for her, her absence is leaving a huge hole in his life.
Mom was born Janny Pikkert on February 26, 1943 in Enschede in the Netherlands. When she was very young, her family immigrated to Canada where her industrious family worked hard to run a farm and a bakery in and around Red Deer, Alberta. She met Pete in Red Deer and they married in 1962. Pete and Jennie both worked at various jobs in Red Deer. There they were blessed with four daughters. In 1975 they purchased a hardware store and moved to Clive, Alberta, and they were further blessed when two sons were added to the family. Mom and Dad ran the hardware store in Clive for 30 years. Mom also drove school bus for the Wolf Creek School Division for as many years. In their retirement in 2018, they moved to their apartment in Camrose, Alberta. Mom was very happy there.
She very much loved her family: her husband Pete and their six children: Barb (Ray) and their kids Marlissa, Tim, Christa and Charleen; Brenda (Lee) and their children Taryn, Lauren, and Kirklan; Beverley, and her and Mike's kids Dale, Kelsey and Shawn; Bonnie (Mark) and Trevor, Jenny and Marrissa; Peter III (Brandy-Jo) and Skùli; and Matthew (Amanda) and Jacob. Along with all these beloved children and grandchildren came some wonderful add-ins of spouses, partners and (so far) 15 great-grandchildren, all a delight to Jennie. Mom was predeceased by her parents Jake and Corry Pikkert, and her brothers Bruce and Ralph. She leaves behind her brothers Garritt, Cor and Doug, and her sister Teri (Mom had an integral part in caring for Doug and Teri).
We are honoring Mom's wish that there be no funeral service. The family will have a celebration of her life at a later date. If anyone wishes to make a donation in her honor, may we suggest the Palliative Care Unit (Unit 2) at St. Mary's hospital in Camrose? All these people and the wonderful Home Care nurses were beyond amazing in their care of Mom, and we appreciate so much how they accommodated our many family members (and our questions) while balancing the need to be COVID-cautious. Mom truly appreciated being there in her final hours. Their address is:
Palliative Care, Unit 2
St. Mary's Hospital
4607 53 St
Camrose, AB T4V 1Y5
Although you miss her, may you find joy, through the laughter and the tears, in the memories you have.
Wishing you God’s comfort and peace
We’re so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing, Brenda. We didn’t know her, but her obituary speaks of a fine and loving person. We pray for God’s comfort and strength to all of her family and friends in this time of sadness.
Ray & Barb,
We are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing Barb. Losing a mom is so heart wrenching. Mom’s are such an integral part of a family. May you cherish all the special memories you have. May you find strength in the Lord as you mourn this loss.
Ken & Dorothy
Don and I send our sincere condolences on Jennys passing. She was such a wonderful kind soul. Always had a smile and kind word for everyone.
Sincerely,
Don and Irene Hecht
Bev ,Dale ,Kelsey,Shawn.Please accept our condolences. Bill and Marsh.
We were sorry to hear of Jennie’s passing. She will be fondly remembered by all of us. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Wind silence speaks for love she has much to say.
Deepest condolences to all. Jenny always had a smile for everyone. She will be fondly remembered.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Pete and family…I first met Jennie at a yoga class in Lacombe and we had many a great chat before and after the classes. Then when I took on the Chautauqua newspaper, I had more lovely chats with Pete and Jennie when I delivered the papers. Jennie was a beautiful soul and she will be missed.
Awww our hearts go out to you all when we heard Jennie had passed away. She was a kind soul who always had a wave and a smile and we always appreciated all the help we received from Pete and Jennie when we first moved to Clive “many years ago!” Try to remember that she is “only a thought away!” Dick and Denise
Our deepest sympathy with the loss of Jennie. We were so fortunate to have you both as such wonderful neighbours for all those years in Clive. Her beautiful smile will be missed.
To the Steringa Families
We were sad to hear of Jenny’s passing. This is a new grief to us as well so know our thoughts and prayers are with you as you steer through all the new firsts without mom, love her, miss her, cry lots and cherish the memories.
So truly sorry to her about Jennie’s passing. She was always kind and treated us kids so well. Many fond memories of the Steringa household and hardware store. Our deepest condolences go out to the Steringa family.
So sorry ,with hugs and prayers to all of your family!! Memories are so precious at times like this! My family certainly have lots with you all!!!!