Jacobus Kok

Jacobus Kok

Peacefully on December 22, 2016 Jacobus Kok, a wonderful husband, father and Papa passed away with family by his side at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 88 years.

Jake will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years Jannetje; son Edzo (Fran), their children Todd (Colleen) and Kyle (Sara); daughter Tieny (Michael) Kirchner, their children Myles and Justin (Laura); son Jake (Cindy); son-in-law Tom Moran and his children Mandy (Kevin) and Tyler (Melissa). Jake was predeceased by his daughter Betty Moran.

Over the past number of years, Jake was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Cassandra, Reil, Reed, Crosby, Kaisen and Tye. Each one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren had a special place in Papa’s heart.

Jake was born on October 27, 1928 in Nieuwolda, Groningen, Netherlands, the eldest son of Stientje and Edzo Kok. He grew up in a large family with seven siblings; Ida, John, Derk, Corrie, Fritz and Elso, predeceased by sister Fenna. Dad will be missed by his siblings, their spouses and many nieces and nephews.

Dad met the love of his life, our Mother three days before he was deployed to active duty to the Dutch East Indies with the Dutch Army in 1946. Following his three-year tour, he returned home to the Netherlands and reunited with his true love. He and Mom were married on July 5, 1952. Following their marriage, they immigrated to Canada to join his parents and siblings in Melville, Saskatchewan. It is there that they started their own family.

Melville was the beginning of an over 25-year career with the Co-op, which also took him to Norquay, Saskatchewan and finally to Portage la Prairie. Jake made many lifelong friends during his career, with both staff and customers.

Family was most important to Jake. He enjoyed spending special holidays together and birthday celebrations with everyone gathering for his famous family barbeques in the summer time. His yard and garden were his pride and joy and he loved sharing the plentiful harvest with his family.

Dad and Mom enjoyed several summers of camping with Dad’s family at the lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley near Melville and taking many fishing trips to Rocky Lake and Bakers Narrows over the years.

Spectator sports were a favourite past time of Dad’s. The Blue Jays being his favourite, he and Mom travelled to Minneapolis to watch them and they also attended many Goldeyes games in Winnipeg until travel became too difficult.

Your life was love and labour

Your love for your family true

You did your best for all of us

We will always remember you

In tears we watched you sinking

We watched you fade away

And though our hearts were breaking

We knew you could not stay

A golden heart stopped beating

Hard working hands at rest

It broke our hearts to see you go

God only takes the best

A family service will take place at a later date at the Stonewall Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Jacobus' memory to the Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, 15 Tupper Street S, Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 1W7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com