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Born: 21 Jun 1930 at Andijk, Holland, The Netherlands Died: 05 Sep 2013 at Port Alberni, BC, Canada (Alzheimer's Disease, 83yo)
Father: Uilke DIJKSTRA Spouse: Klaaske 'Clara' MINNEMA (b. 7 Jul 1932 at Metslawier m. 9 Nov 1957 at Port Alberni, d. Sa 4 Feb 2017 84yo + ~7mo) 5 Children (all living)
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When we visited with Sid today (9 Aug 1998), he remembered a couple of stories about growing up in Andijk. He said, picture Stan at 15, Sid at 11, and so on. Each day, the boys worked all morning at farm duties. Lunch was served promptly at 12 noon to 12:30pm. Their father Uilke was in the habit of taking a nap from 12:30 to 1pm each day. This was always a good time for the boys to play outside and throw the ball or whatever. One snowy day, however, the boys had to occupy themselves inside. They noticed the haypile was at a good height (5 feet) for making a safety pillow in case of fall. They jumped up into the rafters and began to swing around on a rope that was tied to the winch hook at the top of the ceiling. They'd ride the rope and try to push each other off. Naturally, they did their best to land in the haypile if they fell. Unfortunately, this made alot of racket and Dad woke up. He was pretty mad and chased the boys. Sid was small so he dove through a hole used to dump hay in front of cows in the barn section of the house. Since Durk was also small, he easily followed. Lolke, however, was a little too big for this and got stuck in the hole. Dad caught him first and gave him a spanking he never forgot.
Another story is when Stan and the others played a trick on Sid. They secretly tied ropes to his chair at the dinner table. During dinner, and on Stan's signal, the other boys yanked their ropes and Sid fell flat on the floor. This naturally led to spankings, but the laugh was worth it (for some reason, Sid didn't remember this one, but Stan did :) ).
Sid remembers peeling 50 pounds of potatoes each night to serve as meals for the family and city visitors the next day. This was boring work, so they'd add a little fun by poking the potatoes with a knife and trying to flick it into the barrel. Sometimes it would land on the dirty floor so they'd have to clean it off. Normally these pototoes were for the cows, but these were hard times. They'd pick out the biggest ones to eat themselves.
Sid was always close to his older brother Stan, and after Stan joined the army in 1946 (training in England and later stationed at Breda til early 1948, then heading to Canada, working on farms in Alberta and BC, arriving at Port Alberni in search of work in Spring 1952), Sid followed in 1953 and both worked as milkmen for Mckinnon's Dairy. Stan was m. Jun 1954 and Sid Nov 1957. Clara had come from Holland and met Sid in Port Alberni. Clara even worked for Jane's Mom Janke around her house for a time for room and board. Later Stan switched employers to Dairyland but Sid chose to stay with Mckinnon's for his whole career, retiring c1995 (65yo)? Both raised their families in Port Alberni and enjoyed a close-knit community of mostly Dutch CRC families associated with Port Alberni CRC (later Alberni Valley CRC). Irene remembers many extended family get-togethers which included Sid's family along with all the HOEKSTRAs i.e. Jane, her 3 sibs and their families.
Sid and family lived for many years at 2432 6th Avenue, just 1 street over from Stan and family. At an earlier time both brothers, named 'S Dykstra' lived at 707 7th Ave N (Sid, N side of town) and 707 7th Ave S (Stan, S side of town, same house that was later 2432? 7th Ave). Of course, this caused alot of confusion and they often received each other's mail. Of course the cousins spent alot of time together, especially Irene and Yvonne. Sid and Clara were very active in church activities, often serving as Elder (Sid) and later as janitors for the Church. They were very faithful Christian people.
Sid always had a great sense of humor. He was always telling funny stories and jokes. I think it helped that he had a very expressive 'rubber' face that could make many funny expressions. When Steve and Irene were married, Steve's family was amazed and impressed at these fun-loving Frisians and their skits at the reception party, and Sid was right in there dressed as a woman (named 'Ima Vailable', amply 'stuffed' :-) ) and doing the old 'extra hands behind 'her' feeding 'herself' routine (but smearing most of the frosting all over 'her' face!). Later at Sid's home he showed Steve the 'huey stick' that Steve never did master. Somehow by holding the stick in a certain way Sid could get the propeller to spin in either direction on command, a skill Steve never could figure out. Lots of laughs as he tried, though! Sid always had hobbies like making wine (from cherries growing in his front-yard tree and other flavors) and wood-working in his basement shop area. Like all the other relatives', Sid and Clara's home was always immaculate inside and out.
After Jane moved to 3500 McKnight St (Unit 4) in P.A. in 2009? (after Stan d2008 and she sold the Nanaimo 'Ocean Walk' place), Sid and Clara followed in 2010? (to Unit 8), selling their home of many years on 6th Avenue. The old 'homestead' was just getting too big for them to take care off, especially Sid and the very big yards in front and back. For a time Sid enjoyed walked alot, both back in the woods (once seeing a bear!) and also into town to pay bills in person (cash only, he didn't like using checks). After some bad times and scary incidents, Sid was admitted to Echo Village care center in P.A. in 2012? and Clara in 2013? Sid seemed to suffer the same pattern of decline as his brother Stan had 5 years before (Alzheimer's?). When Jane and Irene last visited him there (Jul 2013), he asked for a kiss from both of them, which they thought was sweet but also sad (he pointed at his cheek and puckered). He later stopped eating and d. 5 Sep (2:40am). He was buried at the local cemetery on the N side of P.A. (just as you're leaving town heading for Nanaimo). Clara remained in Echo Village until her d. Sa 4 Feb 2017. A few months before her death she experienced a fall, breaking her hip and requiring surgery. She never fully recovered and was even more confused thereafter.
Interestingly, Clara is a 1rst cousin to a friend (and former landlord) of Steve's Dad (JCS) named Harold MINNEMA of Grand Haven, MI. They always wanted to meet each other but it never worked out. Harold came to AZ (had a place here on the W side, addr 17130 N Willow Path Dr, Surprise, AZ, 85374), but Sid and Clara never did. There's also a MINNEMA cottage (as of Summer 2012) by the boardwalk above the BilMar in Grand Haven, MI (Steve's hometown). Jane knows a story about Harold's parents coming to America to marry since her family was NOT in favor of the marriage, seeing him (Harold's dad) as coming from a 'lower' background and not good enough for their daughter. Maybe partly for that reason, Harold's dad (and he himself) worked hard and became successful.
Here's a pic and obit Ir saw on Facebook in early Feb 2017:
In Memory of Clara DYKSTRA
July 2, 1932 - February 4, 2017
Obituary
Klaaske "Clara" (MINNEMA) DYKSTRA went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on February 4, 2017 at the age of 84 years. She was born on July 7, 1932 in Metslawier, The Netherlands. She was predeceased by her husband, Sidney (2013), sister Renske, brothers Klaas, Haye, Siebe and Lubbert. Clara is survived by her children, Jeannette (Nico) VELDHUISEN, Yvonne (Will) VANDERGRIFT, Diane (Gerald) VELDHUISEN, Ed (Reta), Doug (Eileen), 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Clara immigrated to Canada in 1955 as a nanny and met her husband in Maple Ridge [BC?]. They were married in Port Alberni, where they made their home and shared their lives for 55 years. Clara was a devoted wife and mother. Her faith in God and His provision, even in her Alzheimer's, was an inspiration to her children. She never lost her wit and her ability to have a good laugh, even at her own expense. Clara was a long time member of the Alberni Valley Christian Reformed Church. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 at 2pm at the Alberni Valley Christian Reformed Church, 5033 Roger Street, with Pastor Curtis KORVER officiating. Please join the family for a reception following the service. Interment took place in Alberni Valley Memorial Park. Clara's family extends their appreciation towards the loving and caring staff of Echo Village. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Clara's name to Fir Park Village / Echo Village Foundation. Stories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.chapelofmemories.ca.
Here's a link to AVTimes for Sid's obituary.
