Obituary of Gertrudis Richarda Antonia KARPERIEN

March 29, 1932 – Stoutenberg, Holland April 3, 2018 – High River, Alberta Gertrudis (Truus) Karperien, beloved wife of Gerhardus “Gradus” (Gerry) of High River, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the age of 86 years. Truus was born in Stoutenberg, Holland. She and her family immigrated to Canada in 1954. The family was sponsored by a beet farmer and they lived in a two room beet shack where her parents and the eleven children resided. Truus moved to Calgary to work as a nanny for a Dutch couple and a chamber maid for the Palliser Hotel. She met Gradus (Gerry) at a wedding dance and they married within three years. Truus and Gradus (Gerry) lived in Midnapore with their two children for twenty-seven years. They moved to an acreage in the Red Deer Lake area, where they lived for thirteen years. Once they sold their acreage, they lived in Calgary for another twenty-three years. Truus loved to garden, knit, play cards and games, bake, cook, and look after numerous nieces and nephews who were abandoned by their parents as they frolicked on vacation. At times her competitive streak took over when playing cards with her grandkids because playing cards was serious business. Truus had many great qualities, however, her picture taking lacked professional skill. The last six months of her life was spent in High River where she was close to her daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Anyone who was privileged enough to know Truus would attest to her kindness, generosity, humor and hardworking nature. Besides her loving husband Gradus (Gerry), Truus is survived by her children John (Karen), Margaret (Darcy), grandchildren Alyssa (James), Trista, Gerard, Desirae (Linden) and great-granddaughter Ellie. She was predeceased by her parents John and Hendrica Vandenhengel, as well as five siblings and survived by four sisters and one brother. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1414 Shawnessy Boulevard S.W., Calgary, AB) on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the church. Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Health Care Hero, c/o High River District Health Care Foundation, 560 9th Avenue SW, High River, AB T1V 1B3 Telephone: 403-652-0129, www.highriverhealthfoundation.ca. In living memory of Truus Karperien, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.