Van Elburg, Maatje (Marsha)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth"
Psalm 121:1-2
On Sunday, May 1, 2011, the Lord in His love and mercy peacefully carried Maatje (Marsha) Van Elburg nee Bakker to her heavenly home, after a short but aggressive struggle with cancer. She entered eternity surrounded by her loving and very grateful family and friends. Maatje was born on February 1, 1928, in Lutten, The Netherlands. In 1955 she immigrated to Canada where she married and shared 54 beautiful years with her devoted husband, Johan (John) Van Elburg. Maatje was a resident of Glacier Ridge where she had many wonderful friends. She was a faithful member of Hope Christian Reformed Church where she loved her fellow members, young and old. Maatje will be remembered as tender-hearted and compassionate, always selflessly showing love and concern for others. Her life was marked by constant prayer and thankfulness to her Heavenly Father. She loved and served her family with great joy and devotion. Maatje will be sadly missed by her precious husband, Johan, her 5 children: Jenny, (Henry) Mol, children: Kevin and Sarah (little Benjamin), Rob and Kristen (little Kaleb), Gary and Breena, Brian and Robyn, and Derek, Marianne (Archie) Nugteren, children: Erica, Leah and Lynden, Joanne (Tim) Pasma, children: Chris, Rob, Daniel and Lauren, Gerald (Tammy) Van Elburg, children: Joey and Devin, Fred (Julie) Van Elburg, children: Jared, Adam, Jordan and Kara. Maatje is further survived by 2 sisters: Riek Bosman and Jantje De Jonge of The Netherlands, 2 brothers, Simon (Ids) Bakker and Ted Bakker of Alberta, numerous nieces and nephews, friends and her close friend Rennie Vanden Broeke. Maatje was predeceased by her parents, many brothers and sisters, and a grandson, Samuel David Van Elburg in infancy. Visitation will take place at Hope Christian Reformed Church, 1315 Crawford Street, on Wednesday, May 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens will be followed by a memorial celebration service at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at Hope Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Bob Vance officiating. Special thanks to all who lovingly cared for Maatje throughout the course of her illness. Memorial donations will be gratefully received for the Northern Cancer Fund or the St. Joseph’s Campaign for Hospice and Palliative Care.
A tree will be planted in memory of Maatje Van Elburg in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 10, 2012.
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