Libertus “Bert” Arend Wynand Bouman, aged 91, passed calmly on Sunday, March 26th, 2017, under the compassionate care of the staff at Haven Care Centre. Bert leaves behind his wife of 62 ½ years, Johanna (Hans) Bouman; his daughters, Joanne DeJong (Jay), Bernice Bouman (David Peacock), and Audrey Bain (Bruce); and his son, Harry Bouman. Bert was “Opa” to eight grandchildren, Mike, Erica, Anita, Cory, David, Ian, Jennifer and Clinton; and Great “Opa” to Jaxon, Journey, Mallory, Luca, Rex and one more soon to arrive. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Henk Bouman. Bert was born on January 25th, 1926 in Groningen, the Netherlands, and grew up in Apeldoorn. He fought with the “Resistance”, served in the Dutch East Indies, and later worked in import and export in Indonesia. After returning home, Bert decided to begin a life in Canada. He was sponsored by a friend from the war (Mr. Rex Hazelaar) and soon after convinced Hans to come over and marry him. Bert had many occupations in those early years, but for ten of them, they raised their family in the Sargeant’s Mess where the couple tended bar. Bert worked as a custodian at Medicine Hat College and finally retired in sales from Freddie’s Paint & Wallpaper. The Bouman family grew close to other Dutch families (Hazelaar, Vonk, Van Erde, Falk) and Bert and Hans became members of the Legion and the Dutch Canadian Club. Bert, however, preferred being in his own home beside his wife. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Helen Santer (RN) and the thoughtful staff at Haven Care Centre, their physician, Dr. Monty, and all of their friends for their support.
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