Siebe (Sam) HOEKSTRA

Siebe grew up in Friesland. After marrying Janke, Siebe and Jane's father, Ale Dillema, worked together in Kollum at their truck delivery business, which Siebe continued after Ale died. Siebe had some interesting stories to tell of times during WWII.

During the worst years of WWII, Janke's parents (who also lived in Kollum a few streets away) came to live with Janke and family. The reason for this was that the Germans limited the amount of fuel oil available for heating and this way they could enjoy a warmer home by doubling up.

In 1951, Siebe and his family left Friesland (things were still bleak there after the war) and moved to Oliver, BC in Canada. There they lived for 9 months. After that, the family moved to Sea Island (near Vancouver) and stayed there for about a year, after which they moved to Port Alberni for new employment opportunities (forest industry). Siebe worked at the mill for many years.

When Siebe and Janke immigrated to Canada, immigration officials assigned Siebe the name "Sam" (this was common). He was known by this name by his coworkers in Canada. To the family he became known as "Heit" and "Pake" (Frisian for Papa and Grandpa, respectively).

After he retired in 1971?, Siebe lived the rest of his life in Port Alberni, enjoying being close to the rest of the family. He died of Congestive Heart Failure at West Coast General Hospital at the age of 92.

late 1990s

early mid-1990s w/friends ?, Jan Pater early 1990s

Siebe and Janke's grave marker at Port Alberni cemetery, near those of her parents and their son Nico (all near central evergreen tree)

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Source: Family papers and memories

HOEKSTRA family picture

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