den ENGELSEN

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Grace den Engelsen of Rimbey, Alberta, passed away quietly at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at the age of 88 years.

Grace was born in Breezand, North Holland, Netherlands on March 20, 1934. She and Arie met each other while he was working in her home town of Breezand. They fell in love and soon were married on June 1, 1956. Shortly after, on June 7, 1956, they immigrated to Canada and settled in the Red Deer, Alberta area. Sixteen years later, in 1972, Grace and Arie purchased a small dairy farm just outside the town of Rimbey. They later sold the dairy farm and went into beef farming just north of Rimbey.

Grace was a dedicated wife and mother. She enjoyed gardening, loved flowers, and nature. Grace was also passionate about photography, and loved photographing family and anything that sparked her interest – even the local Farmer’s Market. Her pictures were often seen in the local newspaper. Shortly after losing her husband of 40 years, Grace moved into Rimbey. She became involved with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, then the Rimbey branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the Rimbey Horticultural Group. She also loved to dance and attended many local dances. Grace will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her. She is lovingly remembered for her friendly personality and cheerful smile.

Grace is survived by her loving family: her son Clark (Shaunna) den Engelsen of Red Deer; and her three daughters Dorothy (Huibert) Vleeming of Ponoka County; Mary Olson of Rimbey; and Ali (John) Fontana of Leslieville; as well as ten cherished grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters Nieske (Cor) Drop of the Netherlands; and Grietje (Ed) Houtkooper of Spain; in addition to several nieces and nephews, other family members, and many dear friends. Grace was predeceased by her parents Klaas and Dora Bergsma; her beloved husband Arie; one brother Iene Bergsma; and one sister Martha Zijlstra.

A public Funeral Service in Celebration of Grace’s Life will be held at the Rimbey United Church, Rimbey on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Marco Ste-Marie officiating. Interment will follow in the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Grace’s memory may be made directly to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, 1-020 Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1 (www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.

Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Grace den Engelsen entrusted to the care of