Lieuwe "Leo" Boersma, 98

In remembrance of Lieuwe Boersma, 98 who went to be with his Lord and Saviour on October 5, 2015 at the Rainy River Hospital, Rainy River, ON.
Lieuwe (Leo or Louis) was born in Marrum, Netherlands on August 5, 1917 to Cornelis and Leviena Boersma. He was married to Antje Halbertsma on May 13, 1942. They have three children, Sieberdina Triggs, Leviena Klassen and Rienk (Susan) BoersmaLeo and family immigrated to Canada in May 1950 to Winnipeg, MB. He worked for farms in Stonewall and Stony Mountain, MB. Then the family moved to the Gibson homestead in Mather Twp in Barwick, ON. Leo worked for J.A. Matthieu’s logging with horses and later Ontario Hydro in the winter months. They began milking cows and shipping milk to Lakeland and Clover Valley Dairies. Leo was involved in helping Clover Valley Dairy to start up. The family really appreciated the neighbours help, especially the Harvey Hart family. The family also were founding members of the Christian Reformed Church in Emo. They enjoyed fellowship there many years.
In 1969 the family moved to land south of Stratton, ON. There with the help of Antje and his son Rick they built a freestall dairy barn with a milking parlour, and later a house. They also built a silo to relieve the burden of putting up 12000 plus square bales in the loft! After working hard, Leo and Antje retired to Rainy River in 1985, where they enjoyed playing cards, visiting and traveling. Antje passed away in 1993, and Leo stayed in his home until 2011. He moved into an apartment , then later into LTC in Rainy River. Leo and his family always felt that God had guided and helped them all along the way.
Leo is survived by his three children, Sieberdina Triggs, Leviena Klassen and Rienk (Susan) Boersma, eight grandchildren, and twenty four great grandchildren, his sisters Elisabeth Soorsma, of Winnipeg, MB, Margaret Boersma, of Brampton, ON and Tina VanderVeen of San Jose, California and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Leo was predeceased by his wife Antje, his brothers Tjalling, Watse, and Tietes Boersma in the Netherlands, brother in law Syd VanderVeen, Leo Soorsma and son in law Conet Triggs.
Funeral service will be held at the Rainy River Covenant Church on Friday October 16, 2015 at 7 p.m. with Pastor Kors Pater officiating. A time of fellowship with the family to follow after the service. Burial will take place in Stratton Cemetery on Saturday October 17, 2015, 11 a.m.
Pall Bearers will be Leo’s grandsons Dennis Boersma, Matthew, Micheal and Dwight Klassen, Esquire Triggs and Davar Broeckert.
Honourary Pall Bearers will be Darryl Klassen, Troy Clink, John Camacho, John Wiersema and John Esselink.
If desired memorial donations may be made in Leo’s memory to the Gideon's or the charity of your choice, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0. Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com