Mr. Lambertus "Bert" Ruitenschild

Born August 24, 1933, in Den Haag, Netherlands, Bert Ruitenschild passed away on July 5, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is survived by his two daughters Joanne (Frank Tosto) and Marjan (Steve Morris); son Roland (Stacy Keith); and four grandchildren Ava, Carver, Adam and Sydney. Bert was predeceased by his parents Kitty Gouwentak and Joost Ruitenschild; and his wife Janneke (Lievaart). He was very proud of his age - almost reaching 91. During his lifetime he saw many events and had experiences both challenging and rewarding. Born in 1933, he had a childhood that sadly ended up being defined by the atrocities of WWII. He left Den Helder, Netherlands and immigrated to Canada, educated in construction technology, became a Canadian citizen in 1960, married, became a farmer and raised three children of whom he was very proud. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and farmer. He had a full life and lived on his farm until almost the very end. He married our mom Janneke, who sadly passed away too soon ten years prior to his death. Together they raised a family and instilled into their children a discipline of education and an appreciation for the highs and lows of farm life. Every year the crop was seeded and every year the crop was harvested, a sense of achievement for Bert. Janneke’s garden was always full of the colours and flowers that Bert loved, particularly tulips, dahlias, begonias and zinnias. It was never lost on any of us as to how fragile things were, particularly hearing Bert’s stories of what he saw in WWII and experienced in its aftermath. Despite the cruelty of his mind diminishing in the end, it was that deterioration that ultimately relieved him from those memories. In the end it gave him peace for which we were all thankful. Bert became an Opa in the mid 2000s and his curiosity into each grandchild’s life brought happiness and delight. He loved showing each child his penmanship of a larger-than-life signature, and how he could take any piece of old equipment and make it useful for farming. A visit to the farm to see Opa was always an adventure. Bert loved the mountains and downhill skiing. He instilled the love of skiing into each of his children volunteering many hours on the hill to support this sport. He was a volunteer for ski racing in the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary that he described as pandemonium and exhilarating all at the same time. He cherished every moment of it. Bert enjoyed music and would often sit at the piano unprompted particularly during birthdays playing Happy Birthday. He enjoyed laughter with his friends and family. Always one to enjoy a good story or joke, he loved celebrations. He read newspapers daily cover to cover and was known to be a listener to those individuals who may have been going through a hard time. He listened and always offered his insight as to what he thought someone should hear. Bert had a special spot in his heart for animals and was a proud lifetime member of the Calgary Zoo. He particularly loved dogs. In the last few years of his life, he found great joy and companionship with his dogs Charlie and Axel. He often described his dogs as incredible and rewarded them handsomely with treats. Until the very end, he was visited on a regular basis by his fur friends, which always brought him joy. Bert was a proud Canadian and simultaneously very loyal to his heritage. He had a monthly subscription to a Dutch magazine that he read, spoke Dutch, travelled to the Netherlands, loved strong coffee, and ate as much Dutch chocolate that you can imagine. Christmas time was particularly special for Bert with all the Dutch treats. He proudly wore his speed skates when ice skating. In fact, during his last week of life, he pedalled a bicycle while watching the Netherlands national football team play a game. And yet, when asked, he was Canadian. He lived fully and completely, having a very good life in Canada. It was Bert’s expressed wish that a funeral be not held in his honour. The family will be having a private graveside interment on Monday July 15, 2024, where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Janneke. An open memorial reception will be held after the burial from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Lyle Reeves Funerals in High River, Alberta. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Calgary Humane Society (https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/?form=donate), Parachutes for Pets (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/49510?v2=true), or the Calgary Zoo (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/604?v2=true) in Bert’s name. May he rest in peace and be surrounded by all his dog companions he had throughout his entire life.

Tributes

Mr. Lambertus "Bert" Ruitenschild

August 24, 1933 - July 5, 2024