Berend Ridder
On Wednesday March 29th, Berend Jan Ridder beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away at the age of 69 years. Berend was born on May 1st, 1947 in Ten Boer, Groningen in the Netherlands to Berend Ridder and Everdina
Jantina Amsinga – Ridder. He was the third of four children. He married the love of his life Marry van Woudenberg on November 22, 1972. They were blessed with four children.
Berend and his brother Jan took over their families mixed farming operation and decided to convert it to a dairy farm in 1972. Later on Berend and his brother Jan, with their families, decided to start a garden centre while still operating the dairy. The garden center became successful very quickly.
In 1998 Berend and his brother Jan decided to move to Canada to continue farming but this time they were able to farm each on their own location. After about three years being in Canada Berend battled prostate cancer and feared he never would see his grandchildren. He did survive the treatments and was blessed to see thirteen grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
Berend especially enjoyed: boating, quadding, watching the grand kids playing the X-Box, hunting, painting pictures of nature, cooking delicious meals, and carpentry. He was good at organizing and had many plans and ideas.
In 2013 Berend semi retired but still loved to help out on the farm. In early 2016 he was diagnosed with a brain tumour which he battled for just over a year.
Berend will be deeply missed by his wife Marry and his four children; Roland Ridder (Katriena) and their children: Jayden, Amber, Rose, Marissa of Ponoka; Ellemieke De Haan (Bart) and their children: Tim, Niels, Eva of Ten Boer-The Netherlands; Everhard Ridder (Deanna) and their children: Roy, Levi, Tyce of Ponoka; Marieke Ridder (Albert) and their children: Roelof, Berend, Ian of Millet. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 7th 2017 at the Sonrise
Christian Reformed Church, Ponoka at 1 p.m. with the Interment to follow at the Forest Home Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial tributes may be made to the ‘Canadian Cancer Society’. To express condolences to Berend’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~