1926 – 2023

 

Teunis Van Essen, devoted family man, age 96, of Vernon, B.C., passed away as gently as he was, on February 18, 2023 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Teunis was born in Nijkerk, Holland, to parents Marten and Geertruida (Luigjes) Van Essen.

When Teunis was 12, his mother passed of pneumonia. Fortunately for the family, Teunis’s aunt, Tante Reik was already helping her sister with the 12 children. Tante Reik (Hendrika), married Teunis’s father, had a child and then continued to raise all 13 children!!! Being the eldest son of 13 children, Teunis had to leave school at an early age to help his dad with the coal business and the huge garden that fed the family.

During the 5-year German occupation of Holland, Teunis, was able to hide when necessary to prevent being sent to the German work camps. In his early 20’s, Teunis was conscripted into the Dutch army and was posted in Indonesia, a colony of Holland at the time. When Teunis returned to Holland, he married Ans Pijpers and together they immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada. Ans gave birth to their first daughter, Maria Ingrid at the Transcona hospital, on the outskirts of Winnipeg.

After experiencing a bitter-cold winter in Winnipeg, Ans, Teunis, little Maria and a dear friend, Bertus Kolkman (soon to be brother-in-law), moved to Vernon, BC. In Vernon, Teunis was able to get a job as a machinist at the Vernon Machine Shop. Once Teunis had enough money saved, he bought a double lot, and on it built a large family home. By then, Martin Henri and Margaret Elizabeth had been born. Six years later Francisca Anne was born. Teunis enjoyed outdoor recreation like, high diving, fishing, hiking, skating, as well as building and flying kites. He was also a talented artist who loved to sketch using pen and ink.

Teunis is predeceased by his wife, Ans; his daughter-in-law, Anne; his eldest daughter Maria; his brothers, Gerrit, Willem and Marten; his sisters, Marie, Gre, Bep and Mein; his first born grandson, Samuel; and his great-grandson, Marty.

Teunis is survived by his sisters, Eef, Jans, Co, Reik and Truus; son, Martin; daughters, Margaret (Maggie) and Francisca; grandchildren, Jennifer, Tim, Anna Leah, Catherina, Adreanna, Jackson, Fabian, Sonny, Leonardo, Lonnie Love, Harmony, Lyrica; numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Opa, thank you so much for being such a patient, steadfast and dedicated family man!! We are so pleased that you are reunited with your beloved wife, Ans.

You will always be in our hearts!!!

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com