John Sytsma

1941 - 2023

A dear man of God, John Sytsma passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Bow Island Health Centre on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the age of 82 years.

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.

A private burial service was held at the Burdett Cemetery prior to the funeral service on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

The Funeral Service was held at the Christian Community Church, 415 - 4 Avenue, Burdett on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.

John is survived by his wife of fifty eight years, Ineke; daughter Cindy (Mitch) Hansen of Bow Island and their children Adrianna (Waheed) Ekailan (their children Amelle and Noah), Jaime (Victor) Ocampos, Zachary Hansen, Seth Hansen and Leigha Hansen; daughter Debbie Sytsma of Medicine Hat and her children Samantha (Brian) Mitchell (their daughter Jessa), Kasey Howard (Riley Lumley) and Jared Howard (his son Atlas). Also left to mourn his passing are his siblings Gerry (Flo) Sytsma, Weltje (John) Gouw, Wynne (Uilke) Bouwman, Wilma (Andy) Van Biert, Rita Brouwer and Jim (Deb) Sytsma; brother-in-law Harry Halma, sister-in-law Jean Sytsma and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Piet and Jennie Sytsma, in-laws John and Bep Kreeft, sisters Wipkje (in infancy) and Barbara Halma, brother Richard Sytsma and brother-in-law Harry Brouwer.

John was born on April 6, 1941 in Ijlst, Friesland, Holland. He was the eldest of ten children. John immigrated to Canada in March 1951, settling in the Picture Butte area. The family worked hard in their cousin's bakery as well as many other farm related jobs in particular, 'stuking' and hoeing sugar beets.

In 1953, John’s father had the opportunity to rent a building in Bow Island (the old furniture store) and began baking. This property did not have a store front so the family peddled the baked goods around town on bicycles, with the family vehicle or walking with basket in hand. Soon after, the family bought another building on main street that did have a store front and Sytsma's Bakery continued there until 2000 when John retired. In 2000, he sold the bakery and for him life took on a new meaning, choosing how he would spend his days without his apron. John had a handyman service and he didn’t turn away any work. Roofing, siding, snow shoveling, cemetery caretaker, various church positions, sugar beet factory worker, sugar beet piler operator and supervisor. This job he absolutely loved! For twenty two years he worked in Burdett and then Taber. He began talking about the upcoming harvest season as soon as the farmers had completed their seeding. John wondered if God's plan was for another harvest time for him. Last Fall was his last sugar beet harvest.

Times are always needed for us to have a break from the everyday. John and Ineke took up skiing and cycling. For fifteen years they travelled to Mazatlan, Mexico and alongside a mission church, working amongst the very poor. Again, if John could help, he was there; church maintenance, bus driver, grocery hauler and helping at the feeding center. He loved committing to those couple months every winter.

In 2017, John was diagnosed with his first bout of cancer. God healed him after chemo and radiation. In 2019, his cancer returned and without treatment God healed him again. About eighteen months ago, his cancer returned with vengeance. This time he refused treatment knowing that his life was in God's hands. The days since were not always easy but he refused to give up doing what he could, even working the sugar beet harvest last year and mowing the grass just four weeks ago. His words of encouragement to us were always, "God is in control" .

Yes! God was in control! He took this man of quiet faith and gave him a huge ministry in doctor's offices, sugar beet piler grounds and hospitals. No longer quiet! He lived a life of integrity and always gave God the glory. He said many times, that “it is well with my soul.” That is the comfort and peace he has left with his family and also what he wanted for all of you, too.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to Prairie Gleaners, Box 656, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7G6 www.prairiegleaners.com.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Tawfeeq for his constant care, his comfort and his deep friendship for John and the family. There was nothing at all in his medical journey that could not be openly discussed. Many other doctors, nurses and medical staff in various hospitals are owed a debt of thanks. Much of John’s medical journey was during the pandemic years but gracious care was always given. Also, a heartfelt thank you goes out to neighbours, church family and friends, far and wide that have touched the Sytsma family.