Koos (Jacobus) Burgsteden passed away peacefully on, February 21, 2015.
Koos was born in Acterveld, NL on October 10, 1926, to Hendrik and Barbara van Burgsteden. He was the 2nd of 5 boys. Koos grew up in the Netherlands with his parents and 4 brothers on a dairy farm. He met the love of his life Corrie (Cornelia Wouters) while bicycling to church. They married on February 26, 1952 and shortly thereafter immigrated to Canada. Koos and Corrie built their lives in Conmee where they operated a successful dairy farm. He was a dedicated farmer and was very proud of raising his children on the farm.
Koos served in the Dutch Army: Black Beret, cavalry battalions - division of the tanks. He was stationed in Amersfoort; he did not do battle.
Koos was blessed with a large and loving family and helped Corrie raise their 8 children. Koos was intelligent, kind and soft-spoken and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem no matter how small. He will be dearly missed. Like many new to Canada his favorite Saturday night past time soon became watching Hockey Night in Canada.
In 1984 Koos and Corrie took to semi-retirement. They operated the Telstar Motel in Kakabeka Falls in the summer and spent winters in their 2nd home in Port Charlotte, FL. Koos and Cor’s travels took them all over the world; Australia, Africa, Caribbean Dutch Antillies, to name a few and of course to visit their families in Holland.
In 1996 Koos and Corrie took on full retirement and moved into their dream home in the city. Koos took pride in his landscaping and gardening accomplishments. He and Corrie would spend hours on their bicycles doing their errands or walking the nature trails along the river.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, a selfless father, and a caring Papa. There were many memorable Sunday family gatherings spent with numerous family members dropping in, engaging in noisy chatter, games, laughter, and food.
St. Joseph’s / Bethammi staff have been exceptional and tended to Koos and his family with special care and affection.
Sadly missed and lovingly remembered, Koos leaves to mourn his wife Corrie of 63 years, his 8 children; Harry (Betty), LaNell (Wendy), Jackie (Roger), Lisa (Brian), Kim (Randy), Yvonne (Rocky),Van (Marty), Darren (Debbie). His 24 grandchildren; Steven (Lisa), Michael (Alicia), Daniel (Jackie), Robin (Mitchell), Jay, Jesse (Anar), Russell (Meagan), Paula, Ryan (Shawna), Derek, April (Seamus), Vaughn, Tess, Colleen, Garat, Paige, Drue, Tony, Brooke, Dane, Jenna, Riley, Courtney and Dustin. His 12 great grandchildren; Carter, Mason, Lily, Julie, Alex, Esme, Benjamin, Reid, Carson, Oliver, Louis and Jack.
Celebratory Mass will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Corpus Christi Church, at 2:00 p.m.
Koos will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family gratefully declines flowers; donations to Shelter House are gladly accepted.
Funeral Details
Memorial Service
Corpus Christi Church
Saturday, 14 Mar 2015 2:00 PM
