We are sad beyond words to announce the passing of John Tytsma at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the age of 84 years. John was born in Vrouwenparochie, The Netherlands on August 1, 1939. John was the second of five children. His beloved Dad passed away when he was only 16 years old. John married Elisabeth on May 9, 1962. Anita was born in 1963 and Tracey soon followed in 1964. Both Dad and Mom worked very hard in the fruit and vegetable store they bought in Jelsum and later in Leeuwarden, where Peter was born in 1971, followed by Janette in 1976, in Stiens where they operated the Spar Grocery Store.
John’s dream of a move to Canada followed in 1982. He got a job at Michener Centre and later became the grounds foreman which so suited him, as he was a meticulous gardener. He became an Operations Supervisor for the Alberta Government before retiring in 2004.
His greatest joy was his family. He was so overjoyed when he became a Pake, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his whole life. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-two years, Elisabeth ‘Betty’; his four children, Anita Tytsma-Stokes and Tim Stokes of High Prairie, Alberta, Tracey and KC Pavlick of Red Deer, Alberta, Peter Tytsma of Lacombe, Alberta, and Janette and Blair Egland of Eastend, Saskatchewan; his grandchildren, Alexandra Corbett (Ryan), Eric Stokes, Madison Triffo (Josh), Cassidy Pavlick, Zac Stokes, Sam Ruud (Austin), Brandyn Robinson, Derrek Tytsma, Rylan Egland ( Haley), Darci Egland and Jace Egland; John’s treasured great grandchildren, Leo and Luna Corbett, Rosalie and Boston Triffo and Emmett Ruud. John will also be sadly missed by his sister, Tine, his brothers, Klaas (Leny) and Reinder, Marten (Hennie); his sister-in-law, Alie, his brother-in-law, Johannes (Tine) and his brother-in-law, Reinder (Attje); as well as his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends in both Canada and the Netherlands.
We are so thankful we had him in our lives for so long and grateful that he was able to be active, as sitting around was not for John. When asked what his advice was for anyone he said, ” don’t just sit there… clean up your rotten back alleys and get to work.” We will do this Dad 🙂
The family would like to thank Dr. Jeff Mulder for his outstanding care of John. It was exceptional, and we are forever grateful.
If desired, Memorial Donations in John’s honor may be made directly to the ALS Society of Alberta at www.alsab.ca, a charity close to John’s heart. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

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

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2024-02-29
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com