Ineke Sytsma
1946 - 2026
On the morning of Monday, June 29, 2026, God called our dear mother, Jacomina Suzanne Sytsma home. She had suffered a massive stroke a few days before, so God in His infinite wisdom and mercy, didn’t let her linger here on earth. Ineke passed away in Medicine Hat surrounded by loved ones at the age of 79 years.
Ineke is survived by two daughters and their families Cindy (Mitch) Hansen of Bow Island and their children Adrianna (Waheed) Ekailan (children Amelle, Noah and Rachel), Jaime (Victor) Ocampos, Zachary Hansen, Seth (Emma) Hansen and Leigha (Fernando) Sanchez Cambrera; Debbie Sytsma of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan and her children Samantha (Brian) Mitchell (daughter Jessa), Kasey (Riley Lumley) Howard (son Roark) and Jared Howard (son Atlas). Also left to mourn her passing are her siblings Gerard (Constance) Kreeft, Wim (Joy) Kreeft, Elsie Kuipers, Ernie (Joan) Kreeft, and many nieces and nephews and dear in-laws on the Sytsma side.
She was predeceased by her husband John in October 2023; parents John and Bep Kreeft; in-laws Piet and Jennie Sytsma; sister-in-law Barbara Halma; brothers-in-law John Kuipers, Richard Sytsma and Harry Brouwer.
Ineke was born September 30, 1946 in Amsterdam, Holland, the eldest of five children born to John and Bep Kreeft. She immigrated with her family to Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax. They took a long train ride across this beautiful country and came to Burdett, through sponsorship of her father's sister and husband, Ernie And Elsie Van Oostenbrugge.
Ineke grew up in Burdett, finishing grade nine and then went to school in Bow Island for grade ten. Her father, by then needed her secretarial expertise, helping in his insurance business, Kreeft Agencies. She was exceptional at organizing, could type 130 wpm and worked well with the customers. It was always sad for her to admit that she did not complete her grade twelve. So, in 1983, one year before Cindy graduated, she worked hard and received her Government Equivalency Diploma from the Alberta government. She was so proud of that and rightly so, as she studied hard, especially math, which never was her strong suit.
Ineke knew John for most of her life in Canada, as they attended the Burdett Christian Reformed Church and youth group in their teenage years. We believe their relationship turned to romance when my dad, who was always teasing the girls, chased mom down to the water tower with a shriveled sugar beet in hand hollering “It's a mouse!!” They were married August 5, 1965. The following year Cindy was born and the following year, Debbie.
Life was busy for mom, especially after they bought Sytsma's Bakery from dad's parents and they became the sole proprietors. Ineke was known for starting her day early in the morning to get her housework done so she could devote the remainder of the day to her two girls and to work in the bakery. Mom NEVER went to the bakery until we had left for school and then always home by 2:30 pm to have a cup of coffee waiting at the end of our school day. This was the highlight of our days. Even friends knew if they came home with us after school, they were welcome to this tradition.
Ineke was a very good seamstress. She sewed everything: Barbie doll clothes, winter coats, swimming suits and unmentionables, robes and costumes for church monologues. Her latest creations were less of an undertaking making matching aprons for couples, work shirt aprons for the gentlemen at the church, receiving blankets for expectant mothers, or place mats for friends. Her sewing machine rarely sat idle.
Ineke and John took up skiing and cycling together after they found themselves empty nesters. For fifteen years they went to Mazatlan, Mexico, where alongside a church mission worked among the very poor. Ineke loved preparing meals for the 'dump children' or tracing their feet to get them shoes. Her heart softened among those less fortunate, but her true passion was prison ministry there. She met and ministered to some very scary cartel men! Back at home she marked Bible study courses for prison inmates all over Canada for many years.
Ineke spent endless hours preparing Sunday School lessons for church. In the summer, while she enjoyed sitting outside, she created her Advent monologues for the congregation. She had a heart for the Gospel and was very outspoken about her faith in Jesus; passionate about sharing that we all need a Savior.
Her faith became even more of a lifeline when Dad died in October 2023. Ineke commented often that she didn't know how anyone could go through life's trials without the precious hope that Jesus walks with us. She would want to know all of you have that assurance, too.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, July 5, 2026 between 4:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.
A private burial service will be held at the Burdett Cemetery prior to the funeral service on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Christian Community Church, 415 - 4 Avenue, Burdett on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ineke’s name may be made directly to Prairie Gleaners, Box 656, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7G6 www.prairiegleaners.com.