John Van Staalduine

1925 - 2018

John Van Staalduine of Foremost, passed away peacefully in Bow Island on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the age of 93 years.

 A private burial was held at the Foremost Cemetery. 

 John is survived by his wife of sixty two years, Betty and their five children Jerry (Cathy) Van Staalduine of Iowa and their three children Glenn, Blair and Morgan; Lenora Van Staalduine of Calgary; Lyndon “Moose” (Jackie) Van Staalduine of Foremost and their three children Kaitlyn, Brady and Kasi; Patti (Darcy) Faller of Lethbridge and their three children Amanda (Kris) Kristianson (their son Kallum), Kristle (Dustin) Baynham (their sons Bradly and Brody) and Vance Faller; Tim (Debra) Van Staalduine of Calgary. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law Sylvia Robinson, Norma (Harold) Graham and Chuck Buckler as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

 He was predeceased by his great granddaughter Koda Kristianson; parents Marinus and Jenny Van Staalduine; eight siblings and their spouses Dick Van Staalduine, Neil (June) Van Staalduine, Jean (Arne) Rasmussen, Nellie (Orvel) Stovel, Evert Van Staalduine, Barney (Sue) Van Staalduine, Marie (George) Minor and Jake Van Staalduine; brother-in law Jim Lust; sisters-in-law Jackie Wiebe and Shirley Buckler.

 John was born January 2, 1925 at home on the farm north of Foremost. He attended Neighborview and Foremost schools before working at a variety of jobs in southern Alberta. He started farming for himself in 1951 on his father’s original homestead, where he was still living at the time of his death. As a young man he enjoyed playing hockey, baseball and curling. John and Betty Lust were married in 1956. John was a member of the Farmers Union of Alberta, enjoying their annual bonspiels. He also served an assistant leader and leader of the Pronghorn 4-H Club for over fifteen years. For many years, John also served as a director and secretary-treasurer of the Nemiscam Community Pasture Organization. He also he enjoyed his hobby of raising ornamental pheasants and exotic chickens. John was a semi-retired farmer who still helped with the farm where possible, which included morning chores, calving,  going for parts etc. He enjoyed visits and board games with his children and grandchildren, his grandson’s hockey and baseball games (sorry girls, he “was not a fan” of basketball and volleyball) and coffee breaks in town.

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice.