September 29, 1931- April 6, 2020
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Ben Heuven, in the gentle care of Palliative Care at Seasons Encore in Olds, on April 6, 2020. At the age of 88 years, his was a full life spent well.
Ben was the second youngest of a family of ten, born to Gerardus and Wilhelmina (Raamsman) Heuven near Raalte, Holland. Ben grew up on the family dairy farm during the turbulent years of the Second World War, remembering hiding allied pilots on their farm. He joined the Dutch army and was trained as a mechanic. He also taught driving lessons to new recruits, and assigned as a driver for senior officers while in service. In his retirement, he enjoyed the challenge of restoring old tractors of the early 50’s.
Looking for work and perhaps some adventure, he travelled to Canada with a friend, Bill Van Dam in 1954 to work in Alberta. He always spoke fondly of the experiences working for Art and Marie Willacky of Milk River, and continued to remain in contact with the family well into his senior years.
Ben married Riek (Henrika Reimert) on February 28, 1957 and immigrated to Alberta, Canada that April to work for a dairy farmer outside of Calgary in the Conrich area. Through hard work and determination they later owned a small 80 acre farm near Balzac. In October 1961, they were able to purchase land in the Red Deer River valley in the Garrington district below Moose Mountain. With the help of neighbours, Ben milled the lumber from the trees on the property to build a barn, shop and add on to an existing home. They built a dairy farm and later in 1969 formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Anthony Reimert. There were several years of many changes in the valley. There was also the memories and laughter of two family’s ten children playing and working together. After Anthony decided to fulfill his dream to start his own dairy operation, Ben and Riek continued to farm with their sons until retiring in 1990.
Ben and Riek enjoyed many travels in their motorhome in their retirement years. As a couple they enjoyed dancing in the Square Dance Clubs and at the music Jam Sessions, where Ben was often called on to join in with his harmonica. After moving to Sundre, Ben spent many hours volunteering in the Sundre Museum, helping with driving for Meals-on-wheels and helping at both the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and St. Stephens Catholic Church. He has been recognized for his contribution to the Foothills Natural Gas Co-op, and Green Certificate Program at Olds College.
Ben will be lovingly remembered by his children: Wilma (Erling) Hansen, Charlene (Doug) Hocken, Cheryl Ramsay, Frank (Peggy) Heuven, Ben (Laura) Heuven, 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by sister-in-law Ann Reimert of Sundre, brother-in-law’s Gait (Miis) Reimert, and Marinus (Riek) Reimert; sister-in-law’s Dina Reimert, Maritje Heuven, Jo Heuven and numerous nieces and nephews of Holland and Canada.
Ben is predeceased by his beloved wife (Riek), his parents, all his siblings, several sister-in-law’s and brother-in-law’s, a niece and nephews, and a son-in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Olds & District Hospice Society. A celebration of Ben’s life will be held at a later date.
