Date of Birth: July 6, 1930
Date of Death: May 26, 2024
It is with great sadness that the family of Atje (Ida) Burgess announces her passing on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the age of 93 years.
Ida was born on July 6, 1930, in Nieuwolda, Groningen, Netherlands, to Edzo and Stientje Kok (nee Blik). She lived an eventful life in Holland, often sharing stories of time spent with her siblings and living through World War II.
Ida was blessed with the birth of her first son, Elso, on Nov. 23, 1947, and two short years later, they immigrated to Canada, alongside her
parents and six siblings. Once in Melville, Ida found work at the Beanery, a restaurant in the old train station. This is where she would come to meet a special CNer, and her future husband, Ted. A love story was soon to follow, with Ted often picking her up with an engine on the outskirts of town so she didn’t have to walk all the way to work.
Ted’s employment saw them relocate to Prince Rupert, BC, where her second son, Eddie, was born on March 22, 1954, and daughter Jeanne to follow on May 4, 1955. Eventually life would find the family back in Melville with Ida enjoying her life as a housewife, mother and avid gardener. Ida was actively involved in the children’s sports activities and took great pride in being the lady who taught every kid on Prince Edward Street how to ride a two-wheel bicycle!
In June 1966, a tragic railway accident resulted in Ida becoming a young widow, left to raise Eddie and Jeanne on her own. She worked tirelessly to provide a good life for the children and eventually found companionship in Jim Hoffarth. Unfortunately, Jim’s passing in 1989 left her as a second-time widow.
Ida was forever a people person who loved to socialize and joke with everyone around her. She could often be found gathering with friends over a cup of coffee or a card game, or out on the golf course with some of her favourite ladies. She seldom missed watching a Blue Jays or Roughriders game thanks to the phone calls from her son Elso to remind her that they were playing that evening.
In her later years, Ida found herself as a snowbird in Yuma, Arizona. These were cherished years for her, as they brought many memories of time spent with family and some of her very best friends.
Above all, Ida’s love for her family was immense. Oma, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren (and all of their friends), could often be found having a picnic in the park, razzing the umpires at a baseball game, or cheering loudly in the bleachers of a hockey rink. She loved to spoil her family and her grandchildren, making sure there was always a pot of meatball soup on the stove when they came to visit. She was also known to treat us to lunch or supper at a local restaurant, and good luck to you if you tried fighting that stubborn Dutch woman for the bill at the end of it all!
In 2020, as a result of dementia, it became apparent that it was time for Ida to relocate to St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville. She spent her final years keeping all of the nurses and staff on their toes with her quick wit and often inappropriate sense of humour.
Ida was predeceased by her husband, Ted Burgess; partner Jim Hoffarth; her parents, Edzo and Stientje Kok; sister Fenna Biesbroek; brother Jacobus (Jake) Kok; and son Elso Kok.
Left to cherish memories of her are her son, Edward (Cathy) Burgess of Winnipeg, and their family: Nicalla – daughters Kinsley and Zoey, Laine – daughter Fanta, and Tanner (Meig) – sons Tatum and Axel; her daughter, Jeanne of Melville, and her family: Kehra (Kirk) – sons Talon and Lochlan, and Kelsey (Dylan) – daughter Ellie, and the girls’ father, Mike Polonich; her daughter-in-law, Yvonne Kok of Oakbank, and her family: Connie – daughters Shayla and Amy, Carrie (Patrick) – daughters Shayna and Eryn, and Cindy (Jason). Those also grieving Ida’s passing are her siblings, John (Anne) Kok of Edmonton, AB; Derk (Louise) Kok of Kimball Lake; Corrie Lawrence of Calgary, AB; Fred (Diane) Kok of Melville; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
A heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff on Academy Road at St. Paul Lutheran Home, with a special shout-out going to Oma’s adopted granddaughter Ainsley Brewer, and Pastor Dawn. We are forever grateful for the love and compassion you showed our Oma.
Ida’s funeral service will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Melville, with the Rev. Ronald Shumba officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Home Foundation or to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
