Jantje (WESTRA) DILLEMA

Jantje was taken out of school when she was 9 years old. She was forced to work in the fields because her family was very poor. She earned 5 cents a day. She could read some, but not write. She had a younger brother who was all crooked from field work. He died young. She had a sister named Aafke who lived near Kollum in Buiten Post. She outlived her other siblings (except Jantje). They all died young from overwork and disease and malnutrition and no medicine.

Jantje married Ale Dillema 23 May 1903 at Kollum, Friesland.

During WWII, Ale and Jantje moved in with his daughter in Kollum. This was because the Germans were limiting the amount of fuel oil available for heating and by doubling up, everyone could enjoy a warmer home. Their house was only a few streets away from their daughter's.

In 1953, the Port Alberni newspaper published the following article:

Golden Wedding Celebrated By Couple Wed in Holland

Married in Kollum, The Netherlands, on May 24, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. A. Dillema who make their home with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. S. Hoekstra, 200 8th Ave. S., celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday (5/24/53).

Both Mr. and Mrs. Dillema who are 80 and 82 respectively are in good health, and came to Canada 5 years ago. Mr. Dillema was a freight operator in Holland, from the days when horses were used to tow the boats along the canals to the present time when huge trucks are in operation. He likes his pipe and the occasional glass of wine.

Their 4 grandchildren and two great grandchildren were among the nearly one hundred guests who gathered to celebrate the happy occasion.

A very old picture of Jantje as a baby, with her mother

Ale and Jantje's grave in Port Alberni, BC, cemetery, by central tree and graves of dau Janke, son-in-law Pake, and gson Nico