Simon Albert Tiemstra
January 31, 1939 – June 23, 2023
Simon Tiemstra, beloved husband of Dorothy (Baker) Tiemstra passed away on June 23, 2023, after battling a persistent set of health challenges. He is predeceased by his parents Albert and Tena Tiemstra and is survived by his brother Harold and wife Wally, Dorothy’s brother Gilbert, sisters Kay and Florence (George), and Auntie Sophie, as well as many extended family, friends, and neighbours.
In addition to Dorothy, the love of his life for 66 years, he leaves behind 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, all of whom meant the world to him.
• Albert (Lori): Natasha (Adam). Tyler (Kelsey): Kimber, Isabel, Piper. Devin (Justine). Connor (Danielle).
• Denise (Harry): Jonathon (Taryn): Harris, Lincoln. Jaclyn.
• Teresa (Ralph): Teanna (Jaron): Jayla. Greyson.
• Craig (Tracy): Dustin (Sara Dean). Tyson. Riley.
• Melanie: Sierra. Ashley.
Simon built and enjoyed an exceptional life with Dorothy. From the homestead they began with, they worked hard and grew it into a thriving operation. Focused on farm and family, Simon was able to achieve many, if not all of his life goals except getting more time to share with Dorothy. Simon was an optimist and an intelligent and consummate problem solver with a keen sense of humour. With focus, hard work, and determination, he believed he was able to achieve anything he set his mind to.
Simon was a strong Christian man in the truest sense. He served God faithfully and found purpose in supporting his community in many ways, most notably in his service on the Neerlandia Co-op board, where he was both the youngest and the oldest board member to serve. He was committed to the success of his community and very proud of his 24 years of service on the store board. An incredibly hard-working, generous, and personable man, Simon was liked and respected by all who knew him. His sense of community was extended and enriched when they moved to Klondike Place in Barrhead for retirement, where he enjoyed such happy and content years with Dorothy.
Simon had a strong and beautiful voice and enjoyed many years singing in the Neerlandia Men’s Choir. He was a storyteller, a historian, and a traveller. Simon loved to explore and experience new things. From Sunday drives to check how everyone’s crops were doing, to road trips to California, to many resorts and 21 cruises, Simon knew how to play just as hard as he worked, and he was able to achieve a work-life balance that few are able to manage.
He will be missed terribly by his family and all those whose lives he touched. A funeral will be held 1 PM July 3, 2023, at the Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church. The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care he received from Dr. Bernes and the entire team at the Barrhead Hospital, the home support workers, the staff at Klondike Place, and Dr. Abdulrehman at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, Simon can be honoured by donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Fond memories and stories about Simon would be very much appreciated by the Tiemstra family and may be shared at www.RoseGardenChapel.com.
