On Friday, April 11, 2014, just a few weeks shy of his 91st birthday, Harm Roelfsema passed away peacefully with his wife at his side, at the Weyburn Special Care Home. Harm is survived by his wife, Lijntje Roelfsema, and their six children: Ed (and Diane) Roelfsema, Ron (and Gayleen) Roelfsema, Brent Roelfsema, Vera Nelson, Walter Roelfsema, and Steve (and Lorelei) Roelfsema. Harm is also survived by 12 beloved grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and his sister, Catharina Kruyt (nee Roelfsema). Harm is predeceased by his parents, Jan and Japien Roelfsema. Harm, also known as Pup by his family, was born on April 27, 1923, in Rotterdam, Holland. As a young boy, while starting his career in a print shop as a typesetter, Harm was taken as a prisoner of war by the German army and forced to work as a labourer in Germany. After surviving many mishaps with a guardian angel by his side, Harm made it safely back to Holland at the end of the war. He started back up as a typesetter, and soon met Lijntje Lems in 1951. As a young couple, they decided to start their new life together in New Zealand, where they were married on September 26, 1953. It was here they had their first three children, Ed, Ron, and Brent. In 1959, as the New Zealand economy started to deteriorate, they journeyed to Canada. Choosing first to settle in Saskatoon, they had their fourth child, and only daughter, Vera. From here, Harm and Lijntje chose to move to Estevan, where their last two children, Walter and Steve, were born. Over the next few years, the family moved to numerous locations, including: Manning, AB; Moose Jaw; Estevan (again); Weyburn. Finally, in 1973, they settled in McTaggart, where they resided until January, 2011. Although Harm was best known for his pet store, which he opened in 1973, and his monkey, Simon, he was also an entrepreneur who would try and do anything to support his large family. Even though his main career was always as a typesetter for the newspaper, Harm also sold insurance, fruits and vegetables on the side in Moose Jaw, and tried his hand at beekeeping, bookbinding, and boat building. When he retired in 1995, Harm stayed active with a number of hobbies. His love of the sea and sailing took him on numerous trips with his boat, Harmsway, as well as inspired him to build a number of smaller ships with love and expert craftsmanship. Harm was also an avid reader, writer, and a political advocate. However, even while keeping busy with all of his hobbies, Harm's first interests were always in his family and his faith. Harm will be remembered by his family, his church family at the Church of Christ, and numerous friends, for his grand sense of humor, generosity, kindness, his abundant knowledge of history and current events, his stories, as well as for his contagious laugh and gentle smile. Stories and memories of Harm will always be greeted with a smile in the hearts of those who knew him best. A funeral service for Harm was held Saturday, April 19 at 11:00 am from the Church of Christ with Wade Scott officiating. Interment was at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. Donations in memory of Harm may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Condolences may be left at www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com.
