Obituary for Geziena Makkinga
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you”. Psalm 32:8
It is with heavy hearts that we share that Geziena Makkinga had her prayers to go home to her heavenly Father answered the morning of Monday, October 24, 2022. Geziena Vander Linde was born in Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands on June 9, 1925. She was one of 10 children of Jan and Gerritdina Vander Linde, who have predeceased her along with a sister of pre-school age. She married Evert Makkinga November 15, 1950 and immigrated to Canada in 1951. They settled briefly in Manitoba and moved to the rural areas around Thunder Bay. Most of their time was spent farming in various locations in Murillo where they raised 8 children. Geziena and Evert were founding members of the First Christian Reformed Church, the Thunder Bay Christian School and subsequently the United Reformed Church. She was active in church life through the Ladies Society and when her children were grown a neighbourhood Bible Study Group. She volunteered with Willing Workers at the church. Geziena took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, spouses and grandchildren. Geziena lived to emulate the Lord’s greatest command to love Him above all else and her neighbour as herself. Geziena liked to garden, especially her flowers inside and out. She enjoyed knitting or crocheting blankets for all her grandchildren. Geziena loved to read and listen to spiritual music. Geziena and Evert loved to travel returning to the homeland frequently and with niece Hetty and Jaap Kroon did a small European tour. Since their children moved westward they spent a lot of time travelling to Alberta and British Columbia to visit grandchildren and great grandchildren. Geziena leaves behind to grieve and also remember her, husband Evert, daughter Alice Bellavance, (Chantelle – deceased, Alexis (Shon), Kristofer), sons John (David & Jolene, Kristin & BJ, Shannon & Jared, Kaitlyn & Robert, Andrew & AnnMarie), Gerry & Wilma (Michelle & Jeff, Mark & Christina, Brian & Emily, Kevin & Marie, Michael, Randy & Jasmine), Richard, Ed (Lecia & Matt , Marty, Vanessa & Nick, Jared), Harry & Elaine (Kyle & Jessica, Brandi & Ben, Candice & Irwin, Robyn & Chad, Brooke & Vince), Ron and Adele (Cole). She was predeased by son Martin in 1973. Also left to grieve are sisters Riek Vander Zwaag (Rosslyn), Jantina & Hendrik Jan Hogekamp (Netherlands), mothers of grandchildren Marian Makkinga, Janet Makkinga and Linda Makkinga. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand children, great grandchildren and cousins in the Canada, Netherlands and South Africa. Geziena was predeceased by brothers and their wives, Hendrik & Aaltjee, Egbert & Aaltjee, Gerrit & Hennie (Gerrit Veurink). Sisters and husbands Hennie & Gerrit Kamphof, Dina & Jan Wermink, Annie & Hank Wesselink, brother-in-law John Vander Zwaag. Also predeceased by special niece Hetty Kroon; sister-in-law’s and heir husbands Jeanette & Gerrit Jan Makkinga, Dina & Gerard Jansen, Ina & Hans Van Leeuwen; son-in-law Terry Bellavance.
Interment will be at the Stanley Hill Cemetery prior to the service. The service will be held at the United Reformed Church on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 1:30 pm officiated by Pastor John Ysinga. Visitation will be Friday evening 7-9 pm at the United Reformed Church on Hwy 130. Service will be live streamed and link will be available on the church website:www.thunderbayurc.com/ . Memorial donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Christian School.
It is with heavy hearts that we share that Geziena Makkinga had her prayers to go home to her heavenly Father answered the morning of Monday, October 24, 2022. Geziena Vander Linde was born in Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands on June 9, 1925. She was one of 10 children of Jan and Gerritdina Vander Linde, who have predeceased her along with a sister of pre-school age. She married Evert Makkinga November 15, 1950 and immigrated to Canada in 1951. They settled briefly in Manitoba and moved to the rural areas around Thunder Bay. Most of their time was spent farming in various locations in Murillo where they raised 8 children. Geziena and Evert were founding members of the First Christian Reformed Church, the Thunder Bay Christian School and subsequently the United Reformed Church. She was active in church life through the Ladies Society and when her children were grown a neighbourhood Bible Study Group. She volunteered with Willing Workers at the church. Geziena took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, spouses and grandchildren. Geziena lived to emulate the Lord’s greatest command to love Him above all else and her neighbour as herself. Geziena liked to garden, especially her flowers inside and out. She enjoyed knitting or crocheting blankets for all her grandchildren. Geziena loved to read and listen to spiritual music. Geziena and Evert loved to travel returning to the homeland frequently and with niece Hetty and Jaap Kroon did a small European tour. Since their children moved westward they spent a lot of time travelling to Alberta and British Columbia to visit grandchildren and great grandchildren. Geziena leaves behind to grieve and also remember her, husband Evert, daughter Alice Bellavance, (Chantelle – deceased, Alexis (Shon), Kristofer), sons John (David & Jolene, Kristin & BJ, Shannon & Jared, Kaitlyn & Robert, Andrew & AnnMarie), Gerry & Wilma (Michelle & Jeff, Mark & Christina, Brian & Emily, Kevin & Marie, Michael, Randy & Jasmine), Richard, Ed (Lecia & Matt , Marty, Vanessa & Nick, Jared), Harry & Elaine (Kyle & Jessica, Brandi & Ben, Candice & Irwin, Robyn & Chad, Brooke & Vince), Ron and Adele (Cole). She was predeased by son Martin in 1973. Also left to grieve are sisters Riek Vander Zwaag (Rosslyn), Jantina & Hendrik Jan Hogekamp (Netherlands), mothers of grandchildren Marian Makkinga, Janet Makkinga and Linda Makkinga. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand children, great grandchildren and cousins in the Canada, Netherlands and South Africa. Geziena was predeceased by brothers and their wives, Hendrik & Aaltjee, Egbert & Aaltjee, Gerrit & Hennie (Gerrit Veurink). Sisters and husbands Hennie & Gerrit Kamphof, Dina & Jan Wermink, Annie & Hank Wesselink, brother-in-law John Vander Zwaag. Also predeceased by special niece Hetty Kroon; sister-in-law’s and heir husbands Jeanette & Gerrit Jan Makkinga, Dina & Gerard Jansen, Ina & Hans Van Leeuwen; son-in-law Terry Bellavance.
Interment will be at the Stanley Hill Cemetery prior to the service. The service will be held at the United Reformed Church on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 1:30 pm officiated by Pastor John Ysinga. Visitation will be Friday evening 7-9 pm at the United Reformed Church on Hwy 130. Service will be live streamed and link will be available on the church website:www.thunderbayurc.com/ . Memorial donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Christian School.