Obituary of Antonia Maria "Tonny" van den Heuvel den Elsen)

VAN DEN HEUVEL - Mrs. Tonny van den Heuvel of Yorkton, beloved wife of the late Harry van den Heuvel entered eternal rest on November 27, 2018. Antonia (Tonny) van den Heuvel was born on September 26, 1931 and gently slipped away after a short stay at the nursing home in Yorkton on November 27, 2018. Tonny was born in Beek en Donk, Holland to parents Johannes and Jacoba (nee Kerkhof) van den Elsen, the fifth of nine children.Tonny survived the occupation of Holland and immigrated to Canada in November 1954 to join her fiancé, Harry van den Heuvel, in Kamsack, SK. She boarded with the Schimmel family until their wedding on December 15, 1954. Though having to learn a new language and adapt to a very new world, Tonny took it in stride. The first few years were challenging but the arrival of their daughter, Jackie, on January 14, 1956 and their son, John, on January 15, 1957 made a huge difference in her life. Tonny and Harry took over the bakery in Kamsack. She delighted in keeping her children close. She set up a crib in the back of the bakery when Jackie was born. Their children became part of the bakery, working alongside her and their dad. They moved to Yorkton in 1968 where Harry's Dutch Bakery was a well known and respected business that ran under their care for over 40 years. Tonny was an integral part of the business, always welcoming customers, of whom many became close friends. Tonny was active in the community and was a member of the Catholic Women's League and the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, often donating her time and fine baked goods for needs in the church and community. She loved to knit afghans and made many hats for new babies born in the hospital. Harry and Tonny made many trips to Holland and hosted many family members from Holland, taking them on trips to show off the beauty of Canada. They also spent many long hours enjoying time at their cabin at York Lake with family and friends. When John and Colleen took over the bakery, Harry and Tonny were able to spend winters in Mesa, Arizona. Tonny greatly enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren who fondly called her Oma. She spent hours playing games, baking and gardening with them. She was thrilled to become a great grandma to her three precious great grandsons. Tonny was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Jo, Jet, Cor and Tiny, her brother, Frans, her husband, Harry, on February 13, 1994 and her son, John, on May 8, 1995. She is survived by her daughter Jackie (Kim Junek), her daughter-in-law Colleen (Scott Hoffort), her granddaughters Kristy Junek (Ryan Souster), Angela van den Heuvel (Dean Radford), Shana van den Heuvel (Jesse Timoruski), her grandsons Sandy (Amanda) Junek, Ryan van den Heuvel and her three great grandsons John and Daelan Radford and Reggie Junek. She is also survived by her sisters Nelly and Dora and her brother Jan as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Holland. The Prayer Vigil was held on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton with Mary Bybliw officiating. The reading was given by Shana van den Heuvel and the responsorial psalm by Angela van den Heuvel. Sharon Michalishen led the prayer of intercession.Words of remembrance were shared by Colleen Hoffort. The Funeral Mass was held on Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Louis Kim Nguyen as the Celebrant. The pianist, Diana Hornung led members of St. Gerard's Choir in the singing of the hymns. The readers were Angela van den Heuvel and Dorothy Griffith and the general intercessions were led by Gerald Langner. The gift bearers were Kristy Junek, Amanda Junek and Reggie Junek. Members of Catholic Women's League participated in an honour guard. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Luke at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Kim Junek, Scott Hoffort, Sandy Junek, Ryan Souster, Jesse Timorouski and Brendon Purton serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in memory of Tonny may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Service Information Thursday, November 29th, 2018 7:00pm, St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Friday, November 30th, 2018 10:00am, St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens