Wortel – It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Elisabeth Wortel announce the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother (Oma), aunt and friend, in Brooks, on Thursday, April 19th, 2018 at the age of 91 years. Mary was born in Bussum, Holland on May 31st, 1926 to Adam and Margretha Grim. She married her lifelong love Jim (Jacobus) Wortel on April 16th, 1952 and they began their adventure of immigrating to Canada. They settled in the Duchess area and worked for several local farmers before they purchased their own farm in 1959. Mary and Jim worked tirelessly to build their cattle farm together, all while raising 6 children. Mary trained as a bookkeeper in Holland and worked on and off the farm in that capacity. Over the years she also worked as a teacher’s aide, beekeeper, and was the caretaker of the Duchess Hall. Mary and Jim continued to farm until retiring in 2000 when they moved to Brooks. After Jim’s death in 2007, Mary moved into the Newbrook Lodge, where she lived until her passing. She had a passion for hockey (Flames), football (Stampeders), gardening, baking, playing cards, golf, reading and needlework. Mary was very interested in the events in her children and grandchildren’s lives and was always an advocate for education, fitness and sports. She was predeceased by her loving husband Jim in 2007, son-in-law Todd Boggust in 2001, parents Adam and Margaretha Grim and siblings, Nanda (Klaus) van de Pol, Greet (Cor) Walet and Karel (Els) Grim. Mary is survived by 6 children, Jim Wortel of Patricia, Bob (Elisa) Wortel of Andrew, Alberta, Fay Wortel of Duchess, Phyllis (John) Fyfe of Calgary, Joyce (Joe) Lokanc of Calgary and Denise Boggust (Steve Harty) of Paynton, Saskatchewan; 11 grandchildren, Terry (Sabrina), Joel (Natasha), Jenna (Nick), Tyler (Marissa), Claire, Hayden, Daniel, Julie, Angie, Ben and Sam; 7 great grandchildren, Samara, Hannah, Mitch, Owen, Delia, Beth and Brooklyn; brother-in-law Henk (Loekie) Wortel and their children; numerous nieces and nephews including Nicoline van de Pol (Agile Puijker), Marjolein van de Pol (Ward Rosier), Sonja van de Pol (Bert Druiven) and their children. The family would like to thank the staff at Newbrook Lodge for their care and compassion, Dr. Hendriks and the staff at Newell Medical Clinic and the staff at the Brooks Health Centre. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 1:00 PM from Heritage Inn and Convention Centre. Rev. John Theiss officiating. In memory of Mary, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either Newell Foundation, #500, 3rd Street East, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1P6 or Scleroderma Foundation of Canada, 41 King William Street, Suite 206, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1A2.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
