Obituary of Theodore "Ted" Reitsma

Ted Reitsma, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C., passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 in Dawson Creek at the age of 82 years. Ted was born on May 1, 1934 to Jennie and Jerry Reitsma in the small community of Neerlandia. He was a little brother to Art and William and a big brother to sister Joyce. Ted was brought up in a Christian home and it was something instilled in his children and grandchildren. Ted met the love of his life, Carol, in March of 1953 on a blind date, going to a hockey game with friends. After dating for three years he put a ring on her finger and asked her to marry him on Christmas Eve. In 1956 Ted and his best friend Simon hitchhiked to Grande Prairie to look for work and finally got a job on the railroad. Ted and Carol loaded up their home and headed west to Pine Valley, where Ted went to work on the pipeline and Carol worked in the restaurant where they made many friends. It was in 1958 when they bought the trucking business from Ted's Uncle Art. After 12 years, in 1970, he decided it was time to get back to the Peace Country. They stopped in Dawson Creek for the night and by fluke ended up buying the hotel they stayed in. They owned and operated The Travellers Inn Motel until 1974. He always said he wanted to retire at 40, which he did. His retirement didn't last long, at 41 he went back to work at the car dealership. Shortly after, he quit the dealership to fulfill a dream of travelling across Canada. Ted went back to work for the railroad again in 1975 but didn't like working with the union. He was then blessed with a job working for the rapeseed plant in Sexsmith as a fieldsman. He did his job and earned a plaque for 15 years of being accident free until he broke his hip on a stepladder at home. Laying in traction for 40 days forcing him to finally retire. Ted had many interests and became good at all of them. He got his pilot's license and an airplane in 1965 while Carol was in the hospital having Kenny. He also got into refinishing furniture and their house is full of some beautiful pieces Carol found and Ted redid. Ted's favorite spot to travel was Carp Lake. He took each grandchild, and patiently taught them how to fish. Ted was always there for his kids and grandkids to fix their houses, finish basements, fix sewers, or doing his ditch witching. He would jump at any chance to babysit his grandkids. Ted loved it when his grandchildren and great grandchildren would fall asleep in his arms. The kids would always be looking for his green mints. Even after being diagnosed with dementia the great grandchildren still brought the biggest smile to his face. He knew they were his as soon as they walked through the door. A word to best describe Ted's family for him is admiration. He excelled in all that he did and foremost was his love and commitment to his wife. If something was important to her, it was important to him. They were happily married for 60 years. Many people would ask in recent years if they were newlyweds as they still walked hand in hand. His family also admire him because of the kind of father and person he was. He instilled in them a value system that defined who he was. His word and handshake was as good as a contract. He was a man of integrity. Ted sat on the board of the St. James Presbyterian Church and as an elder in his church for many years. Clarence and Ted made the sign which proudly stands in front of the church and planted the hedge. Ted left this world with dignity and peacefulness. He lived his life knowing he was going home to be with his heavenly father. Ted is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Carol, Debbie (Rick), Gerald (Dorothy), Ken (Candace),Trish (Shawn), Courtney (Clayton), Heather (Murray), Vicki (Ryan), Cody (Melanie), Kelsey (Mike), Ben, Daxton (Megan), Kiara and Great Grandchildren. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at St. James Presbyterian Church in Dawson Creek at 2:00 PM. Pastor Terry Hagen officiated. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ted to the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, 11100 13 Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3W8. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Funeral Service 2:00 pm Saturday, November 5, 2016 St. James Presbyterian Church 1501 108 Avenue Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada V1G2T5