George (Geert) VandenBrink of Red Deer, AB passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family after succumbing to kidney failure on June 3rd, 2020 at the age of 85 years.

George was born on March 14, 1935 in Enschede, Netherlands, the 5th of 13 children born to Bernardus and Jacoba (Coba) VandenBrink. George immigrated to Alberta, Canada along with his family from the Netherlands in 1950 initially settling on a farm near Rocky Mountain House. George started work on the Soderburg Farm in the Poplar Ridge area. In 1953 he started working at the Provincial Training School in Red Deer (PTS) as a Driver and Recreation Director. He also worked in Psychiatric Hospitals in Edmonton, Essondale, as well as Port Coquitlam, BC. On August 2nd, 1958 George married Magdalena Koster in Red Deer whom he knew from childhood Sunday School in the Netherlands. On January 2nd, 1963 George started his career in Law Enforcement in Medicine Hat, AB and subsequently had numerous transfers in Alberta to Ponoka, Edmonton, Brooks, Stettler, Calgary, and Red Deer. He rose up through the ranks of Constable, Corporal, and Sergeant before obtaining his Officers Commission as an Inspector while in Red Deer. After retirement in 1987, George took on the job of District Office Manager and dispatcher for Mountain Well Servicing for the next 5 years. George and Leany then travelled extensively with a 5th Wheel trailer throughout Eastern Canada and the United States. They also volunteered with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in natural disaster areas and as hosts at Peaceful Valley, a senior and handicap daytime recreation park in the Pigeon Lake area.

George will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour. He took great pleasure in telling and hearing jokes and loved to laugh and make others laugh. George will always be remembered for his strong presence. He was a fierce defender of his family and a champion for the less fortunate.

George leaves to mourn his wife of 62 years Magdalena (Leany) nee Koster, his daughter Jeanette (Paul) Heyens of Airdrie and sons David (Pei) VandenBrink of Leduc, Ken (Albertina) VandenBrink of Red Deer, Doug VandenBrink (Francie Hawthorne) of Carstairs, and Roy (Dena) VandenBrink of Airdrie. George also leaves to mourn 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brothers Tony (Kay), Casey (Evelyn), Ben (Denise), and sisters Femmie Tenhove, Anne (Dan) Pohl, Cobi (Henk) Visser, Jean (Robert) Pohl, Marijke (John) Gough, Johanna (Alex) Wiersma, and sisters-in-law Truus VandenBrink, Ethel VandenBrink, and Carol Hansen as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

George was predeceased by his parents, Jacoba Jantina Vanden Brink nee Dijks (1963) and Bernardus Vanden Brink (1967), and brothers Dirk (1995), Maas “Max” (2008) and Jakob “Jake” (2015).

Over the past 6 years George spent 3 days per week in dialysis at the Red Deer Regional Hospital where he was treated with a high degree of compassion, respect, and excellence.

Heartfelt thanks to the entire care team at The Hemodialysis Unit as well as to Doctor S. Konynenbelt.

We would also like to thank Pastors Gary Bomhof and Jack Hielema for their support and pastoral care to George, Leany, and his family.

The service can be viewed live via https://www.firstcrcreddeer.ca/video-streaming.html at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020.

Arrangements and full obituary entrusted to Eventide Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers it is the family’s wish that donations be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

• Date : 2020-06-03
• Location : Red Deer