Dirk Bergsma
Died: October 11, 2020 | Place: Residence
Obituary
BERGSMA, Dirk….
Was taken into glory to be with his Saviour, on Sunday, October 11, 2020, at his home in London, Ontario, at the age of 88. Dirk is survived by his dear wife of 62 years, Annemarie (Lindhout) and his children and grandchildren: Karen and Jan Nobel (Dave and Teresa, Derek and Amanda, Dan and Desiree, Justin and Helena, Jordan and Angelina), Richard and Marjorie Bergsma (Wes and Amy, Matt and Hannah, Greg and Jessica, Joel and Becca, Olivia), Marianne and Edward Slaa (Jonathan and Riana, Joel and Annemarie, Fraser and Hannah, Kenton, Raelene), and Heather and Richard Aikema (Adam and Janeanne, Matt, Jared and Leasa). He has been a loving “Grandpa Dirk” to 37 great-grandchildren. Dirk is also survived by his family in The Netherlands: his sister Ria and husband Piet Heidema, sister-in-law Ineke, brother Cor and wife Fenna, brother Joop and wife Truus, and nieces and nephews. Dirk will be missed by his wife’s family: Kees and Julie Lindhout , Jake and Nellie Oosterhoff, Bill and Elisabeth Oostdyk, Jack Lodder, Peter and Lorraine Lindhout, and many nieces and nephews. Dirk was predeceased by his parents, Anne and Hendrika (van Dijk) Bergsma, his brothers Corrie, Tom (Hennie), Jan (Corrie, Lies), Luuk (Lies), and Anne, all of The Netherlands. He was also predeceased by Cornelis and Elisabeth (Schoon) Lindhout, and Josephine (Lindhout) Lodder.
Dirk was born in Groningen, The Netherlands, into a busy family of seven brothers and one sister. He was a young boy during World War Two, and his family experienced hardship and separation, especially when soldiers occupied the family home. Dirk was conscripted into the Dutch army when he was 18 years old and served as a driving instructor for military vehicles.
Dirk began his career as a pastry chef in The Netherlands, and then was sponsored by Mr. Kees Lindhout to join his bakery in Orangeville. There he met Kees’ young daughter, Annemarie. She was young, but maturity overcame youth and, to quote Dad, “She could not take her eyes off me!” They were married in 1958 and blessed with four children, and later 18 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Dad enjoyed involvement in family events and was also an active member of Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church (London), where he was an organist for 50 years. Dad spent many years making superior pastries, enjoyed by many people. Upon his retirement, Dad and Mom traveled extensively across Canada and elsewhere.
Several things come to mind when we think of our Dad. He was well-known for his sense of humour, often injecting funny remarks into serious conversations. His love of music carried on throughout the years, as he played at church, at weddings and funerals, and was singing psalms and harmonizing even a few days before his death. Dad loved anything sweet – peppermints, “beschuit met suiker”, and more than one or two or three scoops of sugar in his coffee and tea. Dad was an example of thankfulness, daily thanking the Lord for all he and Mom had been given.
We were so grateful to have Dad home again after his week in the hospital. We were able to talk, joke, sing, and visit with him for those precious three days. Several grandchildren were able to see him yet and all his children came before the Lord took him home on Thanksgiving Sunday, which was also Mom and Dad’s 62nd wedding anniversary! We are so thankful for Dad’s example of serving God and others and we rejoice that he can now enjoy all that his heavenly Father has prepared for him. His children and grandchildren will be reminded of his familiar voice whenever we read Psalm 100:
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Friends are welcomed for visiting on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 7-9 pm at Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church, 266 High Street, London, where the funeral service will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 1 pm. As a limited number of people are able to attend, sign up for the visitation and service is required and can be found at this link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/655257522062/false#/invitation. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service can be found here: http://youtu.be/pKXmH7VWo4M. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. Donations in Dirk’s memory may be made to the Anchor Association, 361 Thirty Road, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B2. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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We am very sorry for your loss… our sincere condolences to you and the whole Bergsma family. God bless. Neil & Eddie
I was saddened to hear of his passing. The Bergsma’s were family friends for many years. I have fond memories of this kind and decent man.
May our Lord comfort Annemarie, the children and grandchildren.
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. -1 Corinthians 15:22
As I was scrolling through my messages, I was not expecting to come across the announcement of Mr Bergsma having passed away.
Our sincere condolences to Mrs Bergsma and to the whole family. I have many good memories of Mr Bergsma playing the organ or piano, having many sing songs at their home, teaching the congregation how to sing a psalm or hymn and of him making fancy cakes and pastries. A kind and gentle man with a heart of giving and concern for others.
He will be greatly missed, but one day we will all meet again. Come LORD Jesus, Maranatha
Dear family, Toni and I would like to express our condolences. We fondly remember our brother Dirk and are thankful for the impact he and your mother has had on our lives when things were very difficult. May you be comforted by His Grace and the promise of His Word. Our prayers go out for you, Anna Marie and family at this time of loss. Christian Love, John and Toni
Dear family,
It was our wish to come in person but because of the numbers crunch currently we cannot come. We wish you strength from above for tomorrow and comfort in His promises.
We are sorry to hear the news that
Dirk has Passed away and gone to his eternal home. We feel sad that Anne Marie has lost her husband of 62 years.
It is also sad for his offspring to have to part with Father, Grandfather. and Great Grandfather.
You and we all have the comfort of knowing that he is now with his Creator
in his new heavenly home, free from pain and disease and enjoying eternal bliss with Father in heaven.
Cor and Atty Hoff
My reflection on working with Dirk
For 50 years we played the organ in the church to lead the singing congregation before God’s Throne. It was always a pleasure to work together with Dirk taking turns to play the organ. dirk was better at it than I was. He also had the privilege to bring the congregation in song to our Heavenly father and we enjoyed working together with the organ playing. For many years Dirk played in the morning because I would be late from milking the cows.
We both enjoyed the privilege of leading the Congregation in singing to our Heavenly Father.
Now Dirk May live with the Father in His home.
Annemarie accept the condolences from Cor and Atty .
Our dear Canadian family, our sincere condolences for the passing of your father, our uncle/oom Dirk. May our Heavenly Father be with you and carry you in these sad days.
With love, Henk en Tineke
(son of Luuk and Lies Bergsma)
Our thoughts and prayers continue for you all, although we can’t be with you tomorrow in person we certainly will be thinking of you and hopefully will also catch the livestream. May our Heavenly Father give you all comfort in this time. With love, Rachel & Alex and kids
My condolences on the passing of Mr. Bergsma. It was beautiful to read how his life has been devoted to the Lord through his many activities in the church. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
Our sincere condolences to Mom and your whole family. We remember him from London as a kind Christian gentleman who was a real support for Bert and Jean. May God comfort you all. Blessings, Jake and Winnie
Mrs. Bergsma and family. Liz and I sympathize with you in your loss. We both have many fond memories of many good times at your home in London, always made better by Mr. Bergsmas ever present sense of humour. We pray that you will all be drawn closer to each other and closer to our heavenly Father through these events.
Dear Annemarie and family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We remember with fondness, Dick at the organ in the old Pilgrm CRC. May our heavenly Father comfort you all. Kind regards, Rev W. and R Huizinga, Armadale, Australia
We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences. Dirk’s special connection with the Helder family can be traced back all the way to the mid-1950s, when he worked together with our Dad at Mr. Lindhout’s bakery in Chatsworth. He was a much appreciated friend and will be remembered for his cheerful personality and his keen sense of humour. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Lieve tante Annemarie, kinderen en (achter)kleinkinderen,
Wij wensen jullie heel veel kracht en troost van onze hemelse Vader toe nu oom Dirk is overleden. Met warmte en liefde denken wij terug aan de ontmoetingen en gesprekken in Nederland met onze lieve oom. We leven met jullie mee en bidden voor jullie. Alle liefs,
Andries en Marjolein Heidema
Dear aunt Annemarie, children and (great) grandchildren,
We wish you much strength and comfort from our Heavenly Father now that uncle Dirk has passed away. With warmth and love we think back to the encounters and conversations in the Netherlands with our dear uncle. We empathize with you and pray for you. All love,
Andries and Marjolein Heidema
We would like to express our sincere condolences to Mrs. Bergsma, as well as to all the children and grandchildren. As you mourn the loss of your dear husband, father and grandfather, we pray that you may be comforted by the knowledge that those who die in the Lord will also live with Him into perfect eternity.
We have very fond memories of Mr. Bergsma: his ever ready smile, his love for music and especially his faithful accompaniment at the organ during the church service. He is now home with His Lord and Saviour.
Come Lord Jesus, Maranatha
May the family continue to seek their strength in the Lord as they walk in this world with the aspiration to attain the world that your husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather now resides.
Dear Anne Marie, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Our sincere condolences to all of you as you grieve. May our Lord comfort and strengthen you with the knowledge that he is home with our Lord! We have many memories and always appreciated the many times Dirk was able to play the organ for our family events and for church. He was a blessing to many always through his musical talents! Praise God! Praying for you, love from Henk and Janice
Lieve Tante Annemarie, graag wil ik mijn oprechte deelname laten blijken bij dit grote verlies.. Wat mooi en fijn om te horen dat jullie thuis samen afscheid hebben kunnen nemen. En dat oom Dirk in Zijn handen is. Ik bid u en jullie als gezin Gods kracht en troost toe en heel veel sterkte. Warme groet! Anne-Lies en Chris. LfsX
Our condolences to the Bergsma family, and loved ones, in the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!'” In Christian sympathy, Dick and Charlene Wynia
My sincere condolences to the Bergsma family. Growing up in Pilgrim Church our families were close. I have fond memories of Mr. Bergsma playing the organ – he always knew how to stir up a congregation to sing praises to our Lord. He was a kind and compassionate man who cared alot for his family and church family. He will be missed. May the Lord surround you with His love and care as you grieve.
John Boeringa
I am so sorry for your loss Annemarie. I know how sad you must be .. sending hugs and condolences
My sincere condolences with the passing of dear friend Dirk. I have many fond memories of him during my 36 years in London. He was a delightful brother in the Lord. May God strengthen and bless you all with His Word and Spirit.
Condolences to the whole family. Wishing you all God’s strength and blessing. Fondly remembered as an organist in, and member of, Orangeville Canadian Reformed Church many years ago.
Dear family. From the Netherlands we would like to express our condolences on the passing of uncle Dirk Bergsma. He may now be in heaven with his heavenly Father. We are grateful that we were able to meet each other a few years ago. May our heavenly Father comfort you all today and the time to come.