Obituary of Johanna Groot-Koerkamp

Johanna Hendrina Maria Groot-Koerkamp Johanna Hendrina Maria Groot-Koerkamp, age 88, of Winnipeg, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2010 at River Park Gardens. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Anton, in 2000, as well as by her brothers and sisters in The Netherlands, Johanna leaves to mourn and cherish her loving memory her three daughters and their families: Wilma and her husband, Don Preteau, and their son, Robert; Irene and her husband, Greg Edmond; and Annie and her husband, Glen Rattray, and their children, Heather and Michael. She also is survived by her siblings' children and their families, all of whom reside in Holland, and Anton's surviving siblings and their families in Canada and in Holland. Johanna was born in Zwolle, The Netherlands, on October 18, 1922, and emigrated to Canada in 1954 with her fianc�, Anton, where they soon married and settled in Winnipeg. During their 46 years of marriage, Johanna and Anton took great delight in raising their family, and providing them with every opportunity offered by their adopted homeland. As a woman of great devotion to her religion and family, Johanna was known for her regular attendance at mass, believing deeply in the tenets and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, and ensuring that her daughters were well-schooled in both. Johanna derived the greatest pleasure in life from her role as a devoted wife and mother. She firmly believed in the importance of keeping an immaculate home for her family, hosting family dinners, and making and mending clothes with her own hands. She was unwavering in her conviction that her greatest accomplishment was raising three fine daughters. Johanna expressed her most heart-felt passion for her children by what she gave of herself to them and their futures. And she gave them very much. Johanna's devotion has yielded a bountiful harvest. Such a wife and mother "is worth far more than rubies," says Proverbs, and has earned the prayer of this Book to "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise." The family would like to thank the staff at River Park Gardens for the compassionate care that they have provided to Johanna over the past three years. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Johanna's memory to a charity of one's choice.