Wilhelmina (Willy) Katharina Jansen

Obituary

Passed on August 29, 2020

(HOUTERMAN)   February 26, 1925 – August 29, 2020        It is with so much LOVE in our hearts, for this tiny little lady, that we share the passing of our Mom on Saturday, August 29, 2020. Wife, Nanny and Friend with so many. Mom was born in Heerlen Laren, Netherlands to Theodorus Houterman and Marie Houterman. Mom met Dad and they married on July 5, 1951 in Holland. Following the Second World War, with limited housing and job opportunities, Mom and Dad left the Netherlands on July 14, 1951 and started their 14 day passage on the MV Georgic, The Cunard Steam-ship Company Ltd. to Canada. They landed at Pier 21 in Halifax on July 21, 1951 and then arrived in Winnipeg, by train, on July 23, 1951 to start their new adventure. They were very proud to be called Canadians and received their Canadian Citizenships on April 15, 1958. They lived and worked on a farm in Waskada, Manitoba where Mom always told us that the two young boys she looked after would help her with learning English. They would remind her when she tried to speak English that she wasn’t saying it right, so Mom would ask them to teach her the right way to say it. Through those young children and by listening to the radio Mom learned English. Then off to Balmoral, Manitoba where they worked at Sid Mains Farm and where Dorothy was born. Stony Mountain was their home from 1959 to 1990 and where Henrietta, Arnie, Yvonne and Gerry completed the Jansen Family. While living in Stony Mountain Mom, along with being an amazing Mom and looking after us all, took on employment at the Stony Mountain Hotel, and later her greatest joy as a childcare assistant at the Stony Mountain Child Care Centre. From 1990 to present Mom and Dad lived in Stonewall. Mom had 12 siblings Mariet (Koos); Lien (Chris); Annie (Theo); Roos (Wim); Thea (Harry); Nel (Koen); Paula (Dick); Jan (Nell); Toos (Theo); Truus (Giel); Theo (Hannie); Helga (Jan) and numerous nieces and nephews, all in Holland. Although Mom and Dad lived through war and many hard times, there was nothing that could compare to the loss of their grandsons, Daniel Kratzer and Doug Gibson. We know Mom was so looking forward to giving those boys a huge Nanny Hug and of course being reunited with Dad who left us on September 1, 2012. Mom has left behind 5 children. She would always tell people how darn lucky and proud she was to have such good kids. When all along we were the lucky ones to have such an amazing Mom. Her proud children and grandchildren who will miss her more than can be imagined are Dorothy (Gord), Adrienne (Katie) and Adam; Henrietta (Richard); Arnie (Kate), Corey (Robyn); Yvonne (Bud), Dawn (Jeff); Gerry (Jody), Kaleb, Brooke & Rachel. Mom and Dad taught us the importance of family and to love unconditionally. We have another angel watching over us. Our family would like to thank first and foremost our sister Yvonne who took Mom into her home to live out Mom’s final year. Mom’s greatest fear was going into the hospital and our sister helped keep that from happening. Of course, it took a village to help look after our Mom and to help make her wish come true. From Homecare to Private Care to the Nurses and Doctors, and Tannis and the Gang at Korner Kuts, who went above and beyond to make sure our Mom always looked and felt fantastic. Each in their own way became part of Willy’s family. Each caregiver had a story to tell us about what they learned from Willy. Mom went on many adventures with the girls, “picking” lilacs, eating huge bowls of ice-cream, going out for lunch, walks at Oak Hammock Marsh, meeting their families, spending time with puppies, kittens, chickens and other farm animals and so many other adventures. The Neighbors would always comment that Willy was never home. Our Mom was definitely loved. A mother’s love is always with her children. Losing a Mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But her goodness, her caring and her wisdom live on like a Legacy of Love that will always be with us. That Love surrounds us now and brings us Peace. There will be no formal service at this time. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the South West District Palliative Care, Box 1282, Stonewall, Manitoba R0C 2Z0. Donations will help in the purchase of a Palliative Care Bed.

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