The Love of a Family is Life’s Greatest Blessing.
Dick has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Dick Arie de Klerk was born to Dirk and Agnes de Klerk in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, The Netherlands, and raised in Lethbridge with 11 siblings. He moved to Edmonton at 18 when he went to NAIT where he got his Journeyman Ticket in Baking. Then it was off to University of Alberta to get his Bachelor of Education. It was there that he met the love of his life, Carolyn Groff. The two fell madly in love and were married June 24, 1972. Dick and Carolyn have four children: Derek, Marco, Nathan and Maia, who gave them 11, soon to be 12, grandchildren. The happy couple settled in west Edmonton where Dick found a job teaching baking at Jasper Place High School. He spent 7 years there until he heard the call to farm. After trying northeast Edmonton’s Horse Hill farming community, they settled in rural Leduc County. There they started, with family and friends, Eyot Creek Farm on an 80 acre piece of land just off Highway 2. They grew organic vegetables, milked cows, made Gouda cheese and raised their family. Dick and Carolyn sold vegetables and cheese at the Downtown, Capilano, Strathcona and St. Albert markets. There they made many friends that stayed with them for a long, long time.
Throughout his life, Dick had a passion for basketball. He played his high school ball at L.C.I. in Lethbridge. From there he played at Lethbridge Community College, NAIT and finally at the University of Alberta. He coached for even longer, showing his kids, his grandkids and anyone else who wanted to learn the game he loved.
The thread that wove through his life was his never-wavering love for his God. The Lord was Dick’s guide his whole life and he never doubted the course. Dick was a man of great conviction who loved life and lived it for the Lord.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 45 years, Carolyn (Groff) de Klerk; sisters Ellie Vanderberg, Wilhelmina Konynebelt, Jannie de Klerk, brother Jack de Klerk and sister Corrie Blenke. He is also survived by his son Derek de Klerk (Jackie), daughter Marco Dahlman (Jason), son Nathan de Klerk (Sonja), daughter Maia Toogood (Brian); 11 precious grandchildren; his Ebenezer Church family; and many wonderful friends.
Dick was predeceased by his parents Dirk de Klerk and Agnes (Blom) de Klerk; sisters Agnes Reedyk, Annie Wolters, Ina Span and Rita Jones, and brother Arie de Klerk.
A Celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, 49245 Rge. Rd. 250 (Gaetz Avenue), Leduc, AB. A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the same location from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Tribute wall - a place to share your memories and condolences
Karen Turpin
Dear Nathan, Sonja, Caleb, Chloe & Anna,
We are so very sorry to hear about your Dad & Grandpa. We so enjoyed meeting him at Caleb and Kyle’s basketball games. He was always so encouraging to Kyle. Please know you are all in our prayers. Our hearts are heavy for you.
Love Glen, Karen, Kyle & Joel Turpin
Rick Polson
I remember the smile and warmth of Dick on Sundays in Leduc. Without him saying a word I would become aware of his presence and then when we had eye contact he was very easy to talk to. I appreciate his sincere friendliness as I was far from my family to make some money to continue in Missions. I can’t find words to say what that meant to me.
Christine de Ruiter
Hi Carolyn, my deepest sympathies go out to
You and your family. Dick was such a giving and loving man. I hope your memories and the belief that he is now at peace gives you the strength you need ❤️
Love you, Christine de Ruiter
Keith Froland
Dick was a true friend. He coached basketball and the most important things my son learned from him were commitment, honesty, devotion to others on the team and of course some basketball skills. He and his children were so talented, so dedicated to their families and to the sport of basketball. Dick I will miss your humour and your faith in our Lord.