Tributes
Children/Grandchildren Tribute
Dad knew and taught me the value of a good spreadsheet, the catharsis of a well-placed expletive, and how to properly pack a moving truck. We both believed that studying at 1am was appropriate and graph paper is a necessity. He never made me feel like I couldn’t do something just because I was a girl, which was rare for his upbringing and era.
– Dalene M.
Dad was a do-er, showing his love through helping us with just about any project. Dad remarked on more than one occasion that he should have invested in a cube van for the amount of times he helped haul all of our junk “from here to kingdom come”. He helped us plan many projects from a new garage & deck to a much needed extra bedroom when the twins arrived to finishing our basement. A pad of graph paper was always beside his chair in case he was struck with a genius idea.
– Danelle K.
A father’s death is perhaps a too sudden reminder of all the ways he has imprinted himself on you:
… The binder I keep full of hand-drawn house plans on graph paper. Just like Dad I saw a plan I liked and the 50 ways it could be improved.
… My junk food weaknesses: Hawkins Cheezies, Nibs, Dr. Pepper, road trip knackzoat, and the siren call of A&W teen burgers. Like Dad I have also been known to sooth a sweet tooth with a surreptitious spoonful of Roger’s Golden, neat, no kuchen.
– Derek V.
Family Tribute
Thoughts I’d like to share of my brother, Maurice, are gathered from a distance, as it were, I ventured away from home in 1961 when Maurice was enjoying his pre-teen years, happy to get a room all to himself.
The downside to this separation of siblings was that, as the youngest, it fell to him to help out with the family business. He did on occasion remind me of the card he was dealt when I moved away. His experience dealing with the public led in great measure to the development of his facility to communicate, organize, direct and lead.
– Reg V.
Mennonite Disaster Service Tribute
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Maurice van Nes on April 29.
Maurice first served with MDS in Cameron, LA in 2010, when he went with his church as a weekly volunteer. Maurice and Pat then applied to serve as long-term volunteers with MDS. They served together in Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Alberta.
Maurice wanted to be involved with MDS closer to home and joined the Manitoba Unit, serving in leadership as well as on the MDS Canada Board. Maurice was also the MDS Church Contact Person for his church, Steinbach Mennonite Brethren. When he left that role he made sure to find someone to replace him, encouraging the church to continue to support MDS