We Remember

HEEMSKERK, Leo

—

Passed away peacefully on June 1, 2015 at the age of 91. Leo was born on August 28th, 1923 in Wieport Zoeterwoude, Netherlands in the midst of a lightning and thunderstorm.  He was the sixth oldest of 13 children.  He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Rita and will be missed by his immediate family:  Margaret (Gene) Beaudoin, Ann-Marie (Dan) Reimer, Joe (Liz), Cecilia (Rob) Vaile, Tom.  Predeceased by his brother Nick (1984) and Freddy (1970).  OPA to Allison (Adam), Jayden (Alyssa), Tanis (Jesse), Corina (Shane), Jarrod, Andrea (Justin), Curtis, Dylan (Cassandra), Brett, Jaryn, and Kirstie.  GREAT OPA to Annalie, Nicholas, Thomas, Johnny, Lennon and Olivia.  Survived by Sister Gre Van Wieringen and numerous relatives in Holland, New Zealand and Canada.  Leo immigrated to Canada in 1950 as a farm worker, then went on to work on the CPR and Dawson & Wade Highway Construction.  He was passionate about farming and purchased the Conroy dairy farm in the Ellison District, which was one of the last remaining dairy farms in the area.  He and his immediate family resided there for 40 years.  We wish to thank the staff at Village at Mill Creek and Kelowna General Hospital for their excellent care.  A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4 – 1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

 

Please note service time is 10:00 AM PST

Service
Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 am

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

Share with Others:

Share on Facebook
Share Via Email

Send Condolences
BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4 – 1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9.

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for HEEMSKERK, Leo is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 am . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Carol Romanchuk says:
    June 2, 2015 at 10:59 am

    Dear Rita and family. I wish to send you my deepest condolences on the loss of Leo. I have only the fondest of memories of him when you came to see me to book your trips. My sincerest regards, Carol Romanchuk (nee Hoffman) – Capri Travel

    Reply
  • DARREN MCCLELLAND says:
    June 2, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    My deepest condolences to you Tom and your family.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you

    Darren McClelland

    Reply
  • Gabriel Beaudoin says:
    June 2, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Lost of a father is never an happy moment. Luckily you have my dear nephew is at your side. Place accepte my condolence and hoping to meet you in a near future .bye Gaby andthe Beaudoin’s family

    Reply
  • Marlene (Jeckel) Saukarookoff` says:
    June 2, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Hi Liz and Joe

    Sorry to hear about your Uncle’s passing. Hope all else is we;;

    Marlene

    Reply
  • Fam. Vollebregt Biddinghuizen says:
    June 3, 2015 at 12:58 am

    Bij deze willen wij jullie heel veel sterkte wensen met het verlies van Leo.

    Veel liefs Toos Vollebregt.
    Hans & Yvonne en kids

    Reply
  • Bert, Jacqueline and Patrick Heemskerk says:
    June 4, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Dear Aunt Rika and cousins,

    Our condolances to you all. It is always sad to loose someone, even when he has reached such a high age. We still have lots of good memories of oncle Leo and of our visit to you in Canada, years ago. All the best.

    Bert, Jacqueline and Patrick Heemskerk, Boskoop, the Netherlands

    Reply
  • Irene,Debbie&Gail Rieger and Karen Bond says:
    June 4, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Dear Rita and Family,
    We are thinking of all of you in this trying time. I remember coming over to the house having the best French toast from fresh milk Also standing in front of the milk tanks and Leo just smiling at us kids being silly. Loved being around your house. He was such a kind man. And we will miss him. Take care of yourselves

    Reply
  • Family Leito-Dorand Curacao(moeder v May says:
    June 5, 2015 at 2:21 am

    Lieve Tante Rika Margaret(Gene)Ann-Marie(Dan)Joe(Liz)Cecilia(Rob)Tom & Family, Namens mijn moeder en family uit Curacao condoleren we jullie met het overlijden van Ome Leo. Laten we ons troosten bij de gedachten dat waar hij nu is geen pijn of verdriet bestaat om zo samen dit groot verlies te verwerken. We zijn in gebed en gedachten bij jullie. Love & greetings May van Fred

    Reply
  • Ernst en Marian says:
    June 5, 2015 at 5:14 am

    Lieve Tante Rika, neven en nichten,
    Wij condoleren jullie met dit verlies van zo’n geweldige man, wij zijn blij dat wij toch nog bij jullie geweest zijn(10 jaar geleden)
    sterket in de klomende tijd, groeten Ernst en Marian

    Reply
  • Fred Heemskerk (van ome Piet) says:
    June 5, 2015 at 11:54 am

    Dear relatives, wish you all strength in these difficult days. Proud to be a Heemskerk with such a very very special uncle Leo.

    Reply
  • Jim & Janine Vollebregt says:
    June 6, 2015 at 12:34 am

    Tante Rika & families. Deepest sympathies to you all with the passing of Leo. We have great memories of staying with you 25 yrs ago at this very time. Leo – a great husband, father, uncle, farmer will be sorely missed. Please accept condolences on behalf on Mary (Riet)Vollebregt also.
    Much love
    Jim & Janine

    Reply
  • Kees en Corrie Vollebregt says:
    June 6, 2015 at 6:05 am

    Our deepest condolences to you tante Rita and family. We still have good memories of our visit from three years ago.
    Veel sterkte.

    Reply
  • Debi & Brian Milloy says:
    June 6, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Rita,Margie & Gene
    Are thoughts are with you on this sad days.Leo was a very special person who gave you lots of beautiful memories. He will be missed.

    Reply
  • Teresa and Kevin Smith says:
    June 7, 2015 at 12:13 am

    Tante Rika and family, we are saddened to hear of Leo’s passing. What a lovely man he was. I can still picture him picking fruit in the hot sun in Kelowna when I visited in 1986.
    Our thoughts and love are with you, kiwi Teresa and Kevin

    Reply
  • Corine de Groot. says:
    June 7, 2015 at 7:32 am

    Dear Rika and Family,

    This celebration of Leo’s life was very beautifully done. It showed a lot of Family connection and love!
    We will cary these memories in our hearts. We will think of you all in the days and weeks ahead. And keep in touch…Ton and Corine

    Reply
  • Ton Vollebregt says:
    June 7, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Dear Family,
    Our deepest condolances. We have good memories of him. With great enthousiasm and proudness Leo and Tante Rika showed us the area of Kelowna 4 years ago. We felt a very warm welcome in your house Tante Rika and will never forget your fantastic birthdayparty in Margret’s house with Leo and the whole family singing songs in the basement.
    Warm greetings from Ton, Tineke, Marieke and Janneke Vollebregt, Heerde, Holland.

    Reply
  • Jac van Tillo says:
    July 15, 2015 at 1:21 am

    Our deepest condolences to you Rika and family.

    Reply
  • Hans & Rosemarie van Tillo says:
    July 20, 2015 at 11:04 am

    Our deepest condolences to you Rika and family.

    Reply

Leave a Condolence Message for the Family


» To share your condolence on this page please fill out the requested fields.
» If you have a photo to share, please do so as families appreciate it. To share a photo (please note, just one photo per condolence please), click the 'Choose File' button and select a photo from your computer.
» Once you are done, click the 'Share' button.
» Your email is never published or shared. Your name and email are both required.

NOTE: all messages will go through an administrative process before being posted.

Testimonials

They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke