Johanna Lievaart
1928 - 2015

Johanna Lievaart was born May 26, 1928, in Rotterdam, Holland, to Adriaan and Johanna van Oost, the fourth of eight children.

Mom had a happy life growing up in Rotterdam with her family. Music was important to the family and so Mom was involved with many choirs over the years with her sisters. She also loved the many bicycle trips she took touring Holland with her siblings and friends.

World War II was difficult for Mom and her family, having seen destruction, lives lost and little or no food to eat. On June 6, 1944, Holland was liberated which made a huge impact on Mom’s life. Mom observed D Day every year making sure her children knew how grateful the Dutch were to the Canadians.

Mom finished high school, got a diploma in business and later took on a job working in the household of a farmer’s wife. This is where she met Dad who also worked on the farm.

Mom and Dad got married on March 10, 1954. Less than a month later they travelled to Canada, by ship, landed in Halifax and took the train to Saskatchewan to start a farming career. They started out in McTaggart working on a pig farm. It was a big change for Mom to leave the city life of Rotterdam and move to rural life in Saskatchewan,

After 2 years they moved to the Outram area where they worked for another farmer. In 1965 Mom and Dad were able to buy their own farm. Mom was a hard worker in the house, in the garden and on the farm. She was a great seamstress and sewed all our clothes. Mom entertained many relatives from Holland and her sister’s family from Regina come often to visit. We carried on the Dutch traditions by playing games, singing Dutch songs, making and eating Dutch pastries cuisine and pastries. They moved once more to a bigger house down the road which made life easier for Mom. Dad always said his success was having Mom by his side. Mom and Dad retired but still live on the farm. They would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in March.

Mom and Dad have 3 children, Wilma, Adriaan, and Roxanne. Wilma and Roxanne became teachers and Adriaan became a farmer. Mom was very proud of her children and later the 8 grandchildren. Mom was our biggest support, as she took a keen interest in all, and had a wonderful listening ear, voiced her opinion, encouraged us and gave advice. Mom was enjoying her 13 great grandchildren and was waiting for the 14th in February.

Mom always had an active lifestyle. Besides biking in early years, she loved to cross-country ski, swim and take many long walks. Mom and Dad spent every summer sailing in Lake Diefenbaker for at least 30 years. If you asked any grandchild it was there they had their fondest memories.

Music was a major part of Mom’s life. She made sure her kids had piano lessons and other music opportunities. She was a part of a community choir for almost 40 years and also sang in the church choir. She sang solos at many events. Mom and Dad spent countless hours every week listening to music, mostly choirs, and old familiar hymns.

Mom and Dad built their life and raised their family on a solid foundation of Christ the Rock. We thank God for the faith passed on to us through our parents and a Mother who guided us and prayed for us.

Mom died peacefully on Christmas Day with Dad at her side in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan. We will forever remember our Mother and carry on her legacy of love and faith to our children and future families ahead.

With love,
Wilma, Adriaan and Roxanne and families.

Johanna was predeceased by her parents, Adriaan and Johanna van Oost; siblings, Piet & Eef van Oost, Jan & Corrie van Oost, Annie van Oost, Adriaana & Gerard Pluyms; brothers-in-law, Willem Lievaart and Aalt Leusink and grandson-in-law Bradley Wimmer.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her loving husband of 62 years, Henk Lievaart and their family: daughter Wilma (Terry) Mantei and their family, Lee (Simone) Mantei and their daughters, Chloe and Lia; Andrea (Preston) Leatherdale; Paul (Stacey) Mantei and their children, Daniel, Samuel, Kalem, Ryder, Praline, Holden and Joylynne; son Adriaan (Rose) Lievaart and their family, Justin (Tracey) Lievaart and their children, Rylan and Lexey, Jennelle Wimmer and her sons, Brayden and Jaxon, Jaclyn Lievaart (Kailey Betts); daughter Roxanna (Jack) Rutko and their family, Julie (Tyler) Best and Jocelyn Rutko. Johanna is also survived by her two sisters, Riek van Oost and Joppa Leusink; one brother Adriaan (Lenie) van Oost; brother-in-law Cees (Nelly) Lievaart and sister-in-law Bep Lievaart.

A service to celebrate Johanna's life was held on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Estevan, with Pastor Stewart Miller officiating. A luncheon took place in the church social hall immediately following the service.

In memory of Johanna, those so wishing may make donations to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H3 or to The Gideons International in Canada, 501 Imperial Road North, P.O. Box 3619 Guelph, ON, N1H 6T9.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.