VERMEEREN, Chris Peter 1949 – 2022

Chris Peter Vermeeren- born Christiaan Petrus Joseph Vermeeren- passed away surrounded by family September 11, 2022 in Vulcan, AB at the age of 73. He was born in Bladel, North Brabant, Southern Nederland on January 27, 1949 to Harrie and Adriana. He was the 5th of 8 children, with 3 older half siblings, and 4 full siblings. In 1968, he boarded a transatlantic flight from Rotterdam to Montreal, and then a train across Canada to Brooks, AB. Here he began a new life as a proud Canadian patriot. From that day forward he refused to be called a “Dutch-Canadian”, preferring instead to be called simply a “Canadian”. His strong sense of civic responsibility and patriotic duty was the reason he would later invest so much time and energy into municipal and provincial boards, community organizations, and elected office.

In the early years, he worked as a farm hand for several Scandia, Vauxhall, and Calgary farm operations, and he met and married Dianne Lynn Toderian of Vauxhall on July 1, 1972. They had three children and adopted a fourth.

Chris’s lifelong dream was to own his own farm, and he accomplished that in 1976, the same year his second son, Don, was born. He farmed and raised cattle in Scandia, AB for over 30 years until he and Dianne moved to northern Alberta onto a quarter section of land to be closer to his grandchildren.

He was an artist- a little known fact- leaving behind several abstract works. His artistic nature was evident in everything he did, from the cattle corral he built by hand, to the care with which he leveled his flood irrigated fields. He was a consummate cattleman, caring for his animals passionately-denying himself sleep or food often to ensure the safety and comfort of his animals. His strong connection to farming and the land was only exceeded by his devotion to his family, raising his three surviving children, 9 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and faithfully remaining alongside his beloved Dianne for over 50 years.

Chris is pre-deceased by his parents, 3 siblings, and infant daughter Tara. He is survived by his wife Dianne of Vulcan, Ab, half-siblings Pax and Lidy, siblings Ied and Adrie, (all still of the Nederlands) children Shawn (Nicole Wood) Vermeeren in Macoun, Sk, Don (Christina) Vermeeren of Medicine Hat, and Cindy (Christopher) Skanderup of Okotoks, Ab, 9 grand children and 3 great grand children with a fourth arriving in a couple of weeks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Scandia Community Hall in Scandia, AB on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM. Private family Inurnment to take place in Scandia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Water for Life (https://www.waterforlife.org/) in Chris Peter Vermeeren’s name.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 403-485-2633. Email condolences can be sent via email at www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca