VAN GELDEREN, Dirk
1951 – 2025
Mr. Dirk Emilius Van Gelderen passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the age of 73 years.
Dirk was born in The Hague, Holland on December 2,1951. He was the first-born son of Pieter and Janna Van Gelderen. With his four siblings that followed, Dirk spent his childhood playing in different towns throughout Holland. Dirk enjoyed riding bikes, canoeing, fishing, speed skating, racing cars and many other activities. In 1967, the family moved to Calgary Alberta. Dirk went on to become a truck driver and took a job in Pincher Creek in 1976. It was here that he met a young lady named Julie Courtright, and in 1979 he took her hand in marriage. They had three children and spent some time living in the mountains of beautiful Fernie, British Columbia. The couple eventually decided to go their separate ways. The years to follow grew heavy for Dirk. In 1987, he was diagnosed with Cancer (Osteogenic Sarcoma). As a result, in January 1990, he had his left leg amputated. After dealing with the devastation of losing his leg, in 1991, he once again received more terrible news of Cancer, this time a tumor in his right lung. Dirk would always say “Pain is normal, Suffering is optional” and with the help and encouragement of his family and friends, and his faith in his God as he knew Him, in August, 1995 Dirk was told that he had a life to live and was now Cancer Free!
Dirk went on to meet the love of his life, Sandy Richardson in December 1998. They married April 26, 2008. Dirk was anything but inactive, even with his limitations Dirk worked as the manager of Westview Estates and was the caretaker of St Marks Anglican church in Innisfail Alberta, he was an active member in the community helping others struggling with battles like his own. But he most enjoyed his work as a caretaker of a berry patch just east of Innisfail.
In August 2025, Dirk was once again diagnosed with Cancer (Glioblastoma), a tumor in his brain. On September 25, 2025, just 46 days after his diagnosis, Dirk peacefully surrendered his soul to his God as he knew him. We are not filled with sadness or sorrow of his passing, but rather we are filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the thirty-six years that he survived after initially being told he had but three months to live. We got to share our lives with him. He got to meet the love of his life and share a lifetime of memories. He got to watch his children grow and have families of their own. He got to watch his grandchildren and even great grandchildren grow. We got to know a man with great strength, courage and wisdom. And for that… we shall be forever grateful.
Dirk is survived by his loving wife of twenty-seven years, Sandy Van Gelderen; his three children, Adrian (Jessie), Amanda (Jay), and Ryan Van Gelderen. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Samantha and Domanick Bagstad, and Nikole Van Gelderen; as well as four great grandchildren of Samantha’s, Urijah, Cayden, Jasper and Onyx. He is also survived by his sister, May Bell (Don); his brothers, Walter (Cheryl), Hugh (Karen), and Pieter (Kim); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Pieter and Janna Van Gelderen. His legacy of love, kindness and community will live on in all who knew him.
A Celebration of Dirk’s Life will be held on Father’s Day, 2026, with details to come. If desired, Memorial Donations in Dirk’s honor may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, 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 : 2025-10-09
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com