Hendrik (Henk) Siegersma (1936-2025) passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025 at the age of 88 in Vernon, British Columbia. He was born August 21, 1936 in Berlikum, Netherlands to Etje and Freerk Siegersma.

His early years in the Netherlands included the difficult times of World War 2 – he often shared stories about the experiences he had when the Canadian & American soldiers liberated his hometown near the end of the war. Up to that time, he had never seen white bread and the gifts of chocolate and cigarettes were thrilling to a young boy.

He left school in Grade 7 and began an apprenticeship with a local butcher; he built his skills until he served his conscripted term in the Dutch Army. When his time with the Army was completed, Henk was encouraged to begin an adventure and made the bold choice to emigrate to Canada, alone, in 1956. His stories of the first few days in Canada were always entertaining – particularly the train trip from Montreal to Moose Jaw where 19 year old Henk was not able to understand  English so didn’t realize there was a dining car on the train. He lived on orange pop and sandwiches and slept sitting up for a couple of days as he crossed the prairies on the way to meet the Dykstra’s of Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

He lived with the Dykstra’s for the first few years of his time in Canada helping on the family farm, working for the Town of Weyburn and learning the language.  It wasn’t too long before he was able to leverage his skills as a butcher and started working for Safeway.  In 1960 he met and married Marcella Urquhart and moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  Marcella was born in Moose Jaw and became a hairdresser just prior to their wedding.  The young couple began establishing their lives and welcomed Glen Frederick in 1962 and Tammy Melinda Jean in 1963.

The young family moved to Calgary in 1964 and began to work toward Henk & Marcella’s dream of owning their own business. In 1967 they were fortunate to purchase the Pioneer Meat Market in Bassano, Alberta and embark on their journey as independent business owners. They were welcomed into the community of Bassano and quickly grew a large network of friends and small business owners.  Tobi Miranda Lea joined the family in 1969. The couple started a second business opening another Pioneer Meat Market in Brooks, AB where they eventually moved in 1971. The move to Brooks also marked the start of the first foray into family farming, with an acreage outside town.

In 1975, Henk & Marcella had the opportunity to realize another dream – buying a larger farm near Winfield, Alberta and moving the family to a brand-new world including farm animals, large equipment and annual adventures.  Like so many people involved in farming, growing the farm included both working secondary employment to support the family.  Henk shifted his career from meat cutting to food sales in the 1980s and held positions with Burns, Scott National, Booth Fisheries and then made a move to tool sales with TCB as the Millenium approached.

Henk & Marcella made the decision to retire to the Okanagan in 2003, selling the farm and buying a house in Sicamous, BC.  In his retirement, Henk built an impressive model train collection and spent several years working and traveling with the Salmon Arm Model Train Club. Henk loved to drive, and the couple spent many happy days camping and traveling through the US & Canada. Unfortunately, their time together was cut short when he lost his beloved wife of 47 years in 2007.

Henk was incredibly lucky to find love a second time with Nadine Reimer and they were married in January 2013. Henk and his children were welcomed warmly into the large Reimer family and continue to enjoy the benefits of an extraordinary, blended family. Henk and Nadine enjoyed close to 13 happy years together, traveling to visit family, have adventures and make music. They were often seen in Okanagan area retirement homes entertaining through Nadine’s gift of song and Henk’s often humorous backup.  They lived in Sicamous at the start of their marriage and moved to Vernon in 2016.

Henk is survived by his current wife Nadine, his three children Glen (Lynn), Tobi (Wendell), Tammy (Mario) and his grandson Dustin Audia, as well as the extended Reimer family. He is also survived by his brother, Klaas (Siitie) Siegersma. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Marcella as well has his two older brothers, Garem and Andries Siegersma.

A Celebration of Life for Henk is being held on August 23rd at 2:00 pm (Pacific Time Zone) at the Prestige Vernon Lodge & Conference Centre, Ballroom #3 (3914 32nd street Vernon BC V1T 5P1).

Please Note: A portion of the program will be ‘open mic’, we hope that a few of you will come prepared to share memories and stories of your time with Henk over the years.

Following the program, please join the family for refreshments and snacks at the same location to continue reminiscing about Henk.
Approximate timing 3:00 – 5:30 pm

Celebration of life program will be streamed via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89877725282?pwd=3b4SJLBRHYoTqtXBaTwnAvX4XOPTpU.1

Meeting ID: 898 7772 5282

Passcode: HSiegersma

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial page for Henk through the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
https://heartandstrokeinmemory.crowdchange.ca/page/henksiegersmamemorial

 

 

 

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com