HIELEMA, Jacob
1931 – 2026
Jacob Sytse Hielema was born on November 11, 1931, in the beautiful city of Groningen in the Netherlands to Martje de Haan and Sietse Hielema. He was the fifth of nine children, born during a turbulent time just prior to the Second World War.
Jacob was predeceased by his brother Wieger, sisters Jannie, Jansje, and Etty, and his younger brother Sietse. He is survived by his brother Ep in Ontario and siblings Drewes and Houk in the Netherlands.
As children and grandchildren, we were always fascinated by his stories of the war. One of the most dramatic involved his oldest brother Wieger, who worked in the Dutch underground and was eventually captured by the Nazis. Wieger survived the horrors of a concentration camp—something our father often spoke about with both sorrow and deep respect.
At the age of 19, Jacob and his older brother Ep immigrated to Canada, sponsored by Canadian farmers. Leaving home and family was not easy, but they worked hard and began building a new life. Jacob worked as a truck driver, farm laborer, and in various other jobs in the Hamilton area.
During this time, he sensed a call to ministry and enrolled at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was there that he met the love of his life, Alice Ann Nicolai, who was upgrading her nursing degree. They dated for four years and were married in 1958 in Grand Rapids.
Their life together was one of adventure and faithful service. Over the years they lived in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Cyprus—immigrating three times during their marriage—while raising their four children.
Jacob began his ministry in Bowmanville, Ontario, where their daughter Anna was born in 1959. In 1960 the family moved to the Netherlands where Jacob studied for two years at the Free University of Amsterdam. During this time their second daughter Murielle was born. In 1962 he completed his seminary studies at Calvin College, where their third daughter Jacqueline was born.
He later served a congregation in Forest, Ontario, where his son Stanford was born in 1966. That same year he accepted a call to serve a Christian Reformed Church in Victoria, British Columbia. In 1970 he moved the entire family to the Netherlands, believing it was important that his children experience Dutch culture and connect with the Hielema side of the family.
While serving in Surhuisterveen, he developed a lifelong friendship with Bert Kappe—remarkably, they passed away on the same day. In 1976 Jacob completed his doctorate in pastoral counseling, an important milestone in his life and ministry.
In 1978 the family returned to Canada as Alice longed to be closer to her family. Jacob accepted a call to Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Calgary, where he served for eight years. He later accepted a position with the Middle East Reformed Fellowship in Larnaca, Cyprus.
In 1990 he accepted a call to Smithers, British Columbia. The next fourteen years were spent serving congregations in northern BC, including nine years in Prince George where he pastored the Christian Reformed Church and served as chaplain at the University of British Columbia.
In 2004 Jacob and Alice retired to Red Deer, where they spent seventeen wonderful years. It became a central place where children and grandchildren could gather. In 2020 the family experienced deep sorrow when their oldest daughter Anna passed away after a battle with cancer. Later they moved to Calgary to be closer to Stan and Monica.
It was in Calgary that Alice, his beloved wife of 67 years, passed away on December 3, 2025. Just a few months later, on March 10, 2026, Jacob peacefully breathed his last.
Jacob’s life was marked by faithful ministry, thoughtful counsel, and deep care for people. He loved the church, he loved his family, and he loved the Lord whom he served throughout his life.
Jacob is predeceased by his beloved wife Alice Ann (2025) and his daughter Anna (2020).
He is lovingly remembered by his children and grandchildren:
Anna (†2020) & Chris – Jos & Sherilynn; Alyssa & Michael; Maia & Michael; Kailan
Murielle & Andrew – Shyam, Quinn
Jacky & Richard – Nicolai & Anita; Ciara; Jacob
Stanford & Monica – Charissa & Andrew; James & Emma; Annelise; Jillian
He is also cherished by his great-grandchildren:
Oakley, Brooks, Everleigh, Kasper, Hanna, August, Johan, and Willem.
His life testified to the words he loved from the Heidelberg Catechism:
<em> “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ.” </em>
A Memorial Service for Jacob was held at The First Christian Reformed Church, 16 McVicar Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. A Private Family Interment was also held at the Hoadley Cemetery, Hoadley, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

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6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2026-03-22
• Location : Parkland Funeral Home (Red Deer) www.parklandfuneralhome.com 403.340.4040