Johannes (John) Baayens

After a sudden illness and surrounded by family, John peacefully passed away on April 26, 2024, at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Ann; brother, Pete (Jackie) and best friend, Ron. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Joanne; sons Dean (Cindy) and Trevor (Mel); grandchildren Ashley, Kayla, Dacey, Darion and Dane; brother Bill (Darlene); sisters Catharina (Kees) DeBaker, Anna-Mary Jonsson, Irene (Brian) Mallow and Wilma (Gordon) Mallow; nieces, nephews and many friends, especially the Finky’s pond gang and his neighbor Rob.

John immigrated to Canada with his Mom, Dad, five brothers and sisters and a sister on the way in 1956 from Boxtel, Netherlands. They settled in Calgary, Alberta and started a new life. Learning a new language was a challenge, but John found his way and eventually acquired his Sheet Metal Mechanic Journeyman Certificate in 1968. With his ever-present sense of humor, he made many friends along the way. In 1965 he met Joanne Reiss, whom he loved with all of his heart until his recent passing. In tying his heart to “Joni,” he gained a host of in-laws that he loved dearly; Mike, Helene, Ray, Barb, Roy, Doug, Gene, and Darlene Reiss and their spouses along with the entire Spreen clan that homesteaded near Onoway, Alberta.

John and Joanne loved camping and fishing together. They ventured far from the big city and spent many weekends in the shadows of Corkscrew Mountain at Seven Mile Flats, eventually deciding that this was home. Together they moved away from Calgary with their two young boys to the small Town of Rocky Mountain House and closer to the west country they loved. John started a business and eventually worked in the oil patch, finishing up his working days with R. Pollitt Oilfield Construction. John loved to work, and retirement was never really the end of work, just more so, the start of fun work. Through his woodworking he became known as the whirly-jig man of Hespero and many of his whirly-jigs are certain to be catching wind and spinning memories.

John loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren on the acreage that he and Joanne lovingly recreated and cared for in the Hamlet of Hespero. Countless days were spent with the grandkids: catching butterflies, frogs, and caterpillars, shooting pellet guns, picking berries, playing on the swings, roasting marshmallows, walking the trail, harvesting the garden, flying kites, hunting Easter eggs, playing tag, refereeing out-of-hand water-fights, riding the modified lawnmower, “Beep,” riding the SxS, “Beep, Beep” or riding the sleigh behind “Beep, Beep.” John worked hard his entire life to be rewarded with joyous smiles from his grandchildren for many years. He lived a good life with an enviable sense of where priorities should be.

John will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those he loved most. Welterusten.

A Celebration of Life will be held for friends and family at Hespero in the summer of 2024. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eventidefuneralchapels.com

• Date : 2024-04-26
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home