Gerrit (George) Datema
May 27, 1930 – Jan. 20, 2026

Gerrit (George) Datema passed away peacefully Jan. 20, 2026, at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre surrounded by family and tended to by familiar and expert loving hands.

George was born on May 27, 1930, in Slagharen, Netherlands, to Jan and Mijntje Datema. He was the first born of nine children. He grew up swimming in the canals and skating on them in winter. He attended church and went to St. Anthony’s School where he was taught to read music and play the organ by nuns who were Sisters of the “Poor Child Jesus” convent. He helped his dad delivering ice cream and tending to the boiler in the creamery that Jan managed next to their home.

As a teenager he experienced the German occupation of Holland and the hardships they had to endure. When the Canadian Army liberated Eastern Holland, an attachment to Canada began and he had a keen interest to emigrate even at such a young age.

Finally, in 1949, his dad said he could go and quickly arranged for a sponsor in Canada. He departed on Sept. 25, 1949, and after a long voyage on a stormy North Atlantic, aboard the Prins Alexander, he landed in Montreal and set foot on Canadian soil.

He then travelled by train to Lacombe, Alta., knowing only one word in English — “coffee.” He worked for his sponsor John Stolte in the Woody Nook area. In April 1951, the rest of the Datema family came to Canada where they were reunited again, working in the sugar beets near Picture Butte. They then moved north to farm the old Schwartzbold homestead in the Arbutus District.

George helped out on the farm, worked out for other farmers and then in Nordegg until the mine closed. He then worked in logging camps where he met a young cooks’ helper named Aili Syren. He became a married man on April 10, 1955. They farmed at Blackfalds and Condor before taking over his dad’s farm after Jan had a stroke. They raised four children and farmed, during which time George started an apprenticeship as a mechanic under Bill Simmelink. After selling the farm, the family moved to an acreage and George finished his apprenticeship with Edwards Garage where he became their top automatic transmission rebuilder. In 1974 they moved to Vancouver Island where he worked for another Chev dealership until he retired. In 1999, George and Aili moved back to Alberta and lived on the Syren homestead.

Although retired, George enjoyed helping on the farm — cultivating, cutting hay, chopping silage and running the combine until almost 90 years of age. He also enjoyed woodworking and built many birdhouses and folding tables which he gave to his family and friends. Due to Aili’s failing health, they moved to Westview Lodge in December 2019. When she passed away, George continued to reside there. He enjoyed visiting and going for walks with his dear friend June Ekelund. He always appreciated the care and extra help he received from the Home Care ladies and staff at Westview. His wisdom, patience and big beaming smile will be sorely missed.

George was predeceased by his parents, wife Aili, daughter Bikkie, sister Mae Prins, sister-in-law Gerda Datema, brothers-in-law Bill Prins, Albert Jagt, John Kranenborg and George Groeneveld, and nephews Darren Datema and John Groeneveld.

He will be lovingly remembered by sons Ivar (Connie), Darcy; daughter Marleen (Klaes); son-in-law Axel Uskoski; brothers Martin (Hennie), John, Gerald (Swannie); sisters Fenny, Marj, Shany and Nellie (Robert); eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and many extended family members.

A service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Rocky Funeral Home. Interment followed at Hespero Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion R.L. Zengel V.C. Branch No. 8 in Rocky Mountain House.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.

Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.