PIETER VAN DYKEN

VAN DYKEN
Pieter van Dyken slipped away peacefully on Wednesday January 29, 2025 at the TBRHSC, surrounded by family and love at the age of 92.

Born in Roodeschool, Groningen, the Netherlands, he was a Christmas Day baby in 1932. A big part of his childhood was growing up in German occupied Holland from the age of 7 to 12. To this day, when we asked Dad if he was hungry, sometimes he would answer "not since the 2nd World War".

In 1952 at just 19, with a few dollars in his pocket, he left the family farm, hopped on the ship Zuiderkruis (Southern Cross), and immigrated to Canada. With little education and a strong back, Dad worked on farms, hydro bush camps and construction companies. Later he started painting, first for someone else, and then for himself until retirement. Lots of people still refer to him as "Pete the Painter".

Pieter & Nellie's first date was at the C.L.E. They married on September 06, 1957, sharing 66 years and raising 3 children. They settled in Rosslyn Village, first on Maple Street (the back road) and building a new house on Rosslyn Road (the front road) in 1973.

What was most important to Dad was his family and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church, he very rarely missed a Sunday, even until just a couple of weeks ago.

One of his greatest pleasures in life was his garden. It wasn't just a hobby, it usually provided food for the family for the whole winter. People would often ask him how come there were no weeds in his garden. His reply was always "my dad never taught me how to grow weeds".

His other love was singing. Blessed with a deep voice he sang bass in the Laus Deo Choir and then was a member of the Lakehead Choral Group for many years. In addition to the many concerts they performed, they also staged full musical productions that included Fiddler on the Roof at the Community Auditorium.

Pieter & Nellie enjoyed a number of trips to the Netherlands, road trips with Johann & Rika Schelhaas and more than 1 family vacation to the Caribbean. When the family was younger they took numerous road trips. The route was always planned based on where families with a last name starting with "van" lived.

He was predeceased by his wife Nellie in 2023. His parents Jakob & Grietje, brothers Willem, Gerrit, Hendrik, Jacob and his sisters Alstje, Hendriktje and Jantje. He was the last remaining of 8 children.

He's survived by his 3 children Jennifer van Dyken, James & Shirley van Dyken, Debbie & Henry Streutker. 4 grandchildren Chris Streutker (Emily), Sheila Bolt (Jonah), Allison Streutker (Adrian) & Amanda Streutker (Cole). 6 great-grandchildren Brianne, Carter, Braden, Riley, Jenna, & Oaklyn. Also survived by his sisters-in-law Joyce, Ida, & Julie as well as numerous nieces and nephews here in Canada, the US & the Netherlands.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Blair, Debbie, Kelsea, Dave, Ron, Janine, Carrie & Matthew for being exceptionally caring neighbours who looked out for Mom and Dad for a good number of years. The family is also immensely grateful for Dad's live-in caretakers, Trudi, Sofia, & Eric, who made it possible for Dad to stay in his own house until the Lord called him home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 at 11:00AM at First Christian Reformed Church, Arthur Street with Reverend Matthew Guichelaar officiating. Interment will precede the service in Stanley Hill Cemetery. Procession to leave First Christian Reformed Church at 9:45AM. Childcare will be available. Visitation will be held on Monday February 03, 2025, between 6:00PM and 8:00PM at First Christian Reformed Church. Arrangements entrusted to the Blake Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Thunder Bay Christian School would be greatly appreciated.

After being apart for a year and a half, Nellie has once again, been reunited with her precious "Peetsie".

On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com