Tribute

We are saddened to announce the passing of Klaas Storteboom on September 23, 2021.

Klaas was born on July 3^rd, 1936 in Dedemsvaart, Holland to Herman and Hendrikje Storteboom.   He immigrated to Canada with his parents and 3 siblings on May 8^th, 1953 where he lived and worked in Holland Marsh until 1957.   The family then moved to Stayner.

In 1959 Klaas moved back to Holland Marsh where he continued to work.

On November 5^th, 1960 he married his sweetheart, Arentje Aberina Kuyvenhoven, and they lived in Newmarket area until 1963.   From there they moved to a farm in the Shelburne area where he worked with his parents once again.

In 1967, with 4 children (Arlene, Rita, Henk and Joanne), he moved the family to the Orangeville area where he started working in a steel fabrication plant.

In 1970 another daughter, Kathleen, joined the family.

Klaas worked at the plant until 1985 at which time he and Alice bought a local greenhouse business in Orangeville.  They worked hard to upgrade and improve the business making it a success.  In 1999 they decided to retire and sold the business to their daughter, Joanne.  Klaas and Alice moved to the village of Belgrave to begin their retirement years.

In 2006 they decided Ontario was no longer for them, packed everything and moved to the village of Crofton on Vancouver Island where 3 of their daughters were already living.  Once in Crofton, Klaas began to get his gardens growing again, started his flowerbeds and continued with his hobbies.

Klaas and Alice began to get involved in the community in as many ways as they could, helping with dinners for various groups such as hockey teams, Christian school and an outreach ministry called CARTS.  They loved to keep busy serving and helping others.

He also enjoyed his garden, growing vegetables of every kind which he used to bless people in the community.

They truly enjoyed their time here doing what they loved to do.

Klaas was taken to hospital in Victoria  on September 19.  He passed on to his heavenly home on September 23, 2021

He was strong till the last day, but finally his large heart had enough and his Lord called him home. Al from Carts said Klaas “died with his boot on”.

Klaas, Dad, Opa is now at his final home never to have to move again.

He leaves behind his wife of almost 61 years, Alice,  daughters Arlene (Charlie DeVries), Rita (Anthony Gray), Joanne (Martin Woudenberg), Kathleen and his son, Henk (Cora).

He also leaves his 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

As he arrived at his eternal home we know his grandson, Colin, was there to greet him along with many friends and family.

Klaas was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by so many but has entered into a well-deserved rest.