Obituary of Pietje Bylsma

Pietje Bylsma(Venema) Bylsma,Pietje –July 2 ,1921- December 29 ,2015- Released from her earthly cares,graduated on to her Eternal home, reunited with our father Wobbe,her husband of 67 years. Now she can rest. "Velterusten" Mom The Bylsma family mourns the loss of their Mother,Grandmother,and Great Grandmother,yet rejoices in knowing what that means for her. She will be dearly missed by her children Theresa and Jim Brand of Dashwood;Auke and Christine of Blyth; Wibbina Toonk of Exeter;John and Ruby of Thorndale;Anne and Terry Kaastra of Holmesville,Cory and John Kuipers of Goderich and Patricia and David Brodie of Brucefield. Grandma to 28 grandchildren,great grandma to 50 .Also survived by her brother Willem (Tineke)Venema of Brampton,and sister Corrie Bouma of the Netherlands,as well as countless nieces and nephews.Predeceased by son in law Gerald Toonk (2011),her husband Wobbe (2010), great granddaughter Angela Bylsma –Moffat(2003) and grandson Shaun Kaastra (1993),as well as a number of siblings ,and in laws and their spouses in the Netherlands and Canada. Born in Lucaswolde ,Groningen Pr.,The Netherlands ;Pietje Venema,daughter of Jan and Trientje.Married in 1943. Together with the oldest two children Pietje and Wobbe embarked on what was to be a life changing voyage in 1948 to forge a new life in this country we are blessed to call our home. Part of an earlier wave of immigration they showed that faith and determination could help to build a life for their family...first in eastern Ontario,then eventually settling in the Blyth area on the dairy farm that we all grew up at . Being of Dairy stock herself Mom did not let herself be confined to the house as the farm grew. If asked to see it ,one might be able to see her diploma from "milking school "from her younger years.Never with idle hands she gardened ,and knitted and raised us and taught us Christian values and ethics. The two of them were able to travel in their motorhome around North America when retirement gave them the time. Unfortunately ill health in later years limited their opportunities to enjoy all that life had to offer and she was often confined to hospital care. The last six years she has been in the Manor nursing home in Seaforth. Visitation will be held on Friday ,Jan 1 ,2016 at the Christian Reformed Church where she has been a member for 61 years. 243 Princess St.E.,Clinton from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00. Funeral to be held at the same location on Saturday ,January 2,2016 at 1:30 p.m. ,with Rev. Ron Luchies officiating. Private family interment will have preceded @11:00 at the Clinton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider donations to Huron Christian School (tuition relief),World Renew,or the charity of one's choice. At this time the family would also like to express appreciation to the staff at the Manor for the part they had to play in Mom's later years and the compassion shown particularily while in her palliative state. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes ,Clinton ,Ontario (519-482-9521) Messages of Condolence for the Bylsma family may be sent to www.falconerfuneralhomes.com