August 2, 1969 ~ November 14, 2018
After a short sick bed, we had to say goodbye to our dad, son and brother, Geert-Jan Sikkenga. Thankfully we were able to take care of him at his parents’ home until the end with his close family around him.
Left behind to deal with this sudden loss are his children, Annelies, Harm, William and Joanna; his parents, Harm and Lieni; and sister Manny. He never lost his sense of humour and was an easy patient to take care of.
Geert-Jan was born in the Netherlands on August 2nd, 1969 and grew up on the dairy farm in Zwiggelte. He loved doing all the work that needed to be done, working with the cows was his passion.
He went to elementary school in Zwiggelte, a small, two classroom school, where his class of 7, which was the largest, built strong and lasting friendships. After that came MAVO in Westerbork and agricultural college in Meppel. He was always part of a large group of friends and always up to fun and mischief. He thought it was a great idea to take the tractor with a loaded manure spreader to school, so he could quickly spread that on the field during his lunch hour. Not everybody was impressed.
He ran the farm for a few years after his parents and sister moved to Whitemouth, Manitoba. In 1997 he moved to Heartwell, Nebraska with his young family of three children. The fourth child, Joanna, was born there.
He built a dairy barn close to Heartwell and Nebraska became home; cowboy boots his preferred footwear. His friends there knew him as Geert. You saw him coming in his pick-up truck with the license plate MMM MILK.
His children grew up in Nebraska, going to school in Minden. Despite being busy, he made time to be part of their activities and go to their T-ball games, cheerleading, band and dance recitals.
The cows left, but Geert remained in farming and doing custom bailing. Nebraska is still home. A memorial service will be held in Minden, Nebraska.
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Corene Antle
Dear Lieni & Harm, Manny, and Geert-Jan’s children – I am so sorry for your sudden loss. The devastating illness went so fast and it is hard to believe. It is so hard to lose those we love and have the courage to go on. My heart goes out to you all and may you find strength in remembering the many memories you have. Take care, Corene
Lucy van Vliet
Dear Manny, Harm, Lieni and Geert’s kids
John and I were very sad to hear of Geert’s passing. John has very fond, if not sometimes scary memories of Geert and their adventures in the USA, tornados and hiding under bridges is a story told often! In fact when I meet Geert while in Canada, he told me about it. We both hold dear our last outing with Geert and Manny in Canada, not realising it would be the last as we had hoped to see you both in July 2019 on our way back to the Netherlands
The loss of a son, brother, Father and friend so suddenly, is hard to bare, but the memories built through family and friendships lasts a lifetime.
With love
John and Lucy van Vliet New Zealand.
Karin
Lieve familie,
Wat een verdriet. Ooit kwam ik op de boerderij in Zwiggelte. Heel jong en verliefd. Daar hielp ik dan en Geert ging graag mee naar de koeien. Ergens achter in het weiland zei hij “ ik wil met jou louwen”.
Later volledig uit beeld, maar Westerbork in mijn hart en als ik langs de boerderij reed, altijd een glimlach. Manny volg ik via Facebook. Het verliezen van je broer is onvoorstelbaar. Maar zoals ik lees zijn er goede herinneringen. Harm en Lini, een kind verliezen hoort niet bij het leven. Helaas maakten ook Harms ouders dit mee. Houdt elkaar stevig vast. Veel liefs Karin van ‘t Hof
Ans Naber
Lieve Manny en familie,
Zo staat je wereld even stil…. Heel veel sterkte gewenst, een dikke knuffel voor iedereen.
Harm & Ans
Heleen Nijhoff
Lieve familie Sikkenga,
Wat mooi verwoord, wat ‘fijn’ dat hij de laatste weken zo dicht bij jullie was.
En dat jullie dus ook nog van zijn humor hebben mogen ‘genieten’.
Vele mooie herinneringen. Ik wens jullie heel veel sterkte samen.
Ondanks de vele afstanden, veel liefde en kracht samen.
Liefs en een dikke knuffel,
Heleen
Arleen
Our condolences to the family on the sudden loss of Geert. Glioblastoma is devastating, I know this all to well. May you keep Geert’s memories close at heart. It will help you get through the days ahead.
Arleen & Harry
Patrick Meijer
Gecondoleerd en sterkte voor jullie allemaal!
Jeanette
Wat verdrietig dat jullie afscheid moeten nemen van jullie vader, zoon en broer op zo’n jonge leeftijd. Heel veel sterkte voor jullie allen.
Liefs, Jeanette Brunsting
en Tjapko en Matthijs Uildriks
Johan Naber
Gecondoleerd met dit verlies! Ik ben erg geschrokken! Heel veel sterkte voor de komende tijd!
Mark Prins
Gecondoleerd met dit grote verlies. Het blijft onwerkelijk. Heel veel sterkte en we denken aan jullie
Mark en Linda Prins.
Bert & Kimberly De Bruijn
We are so sorry to hear of your terrible loss . Our prayers are with all of you in these hard times.
Richard & Lidy
Our condolences with this great loss.
We wish you a lot of strength in the coming time.
Richard & Lidy Borghuis
Hoogeveen
Lou & Helene Savisky
Our sincere condolences to you, Lieni & Harm in the loss of your dear son. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.
Geertje
Veel te jong en te snel hebben jullie afscheid moeten nemen van Geert Jan. Gecondoleerd met dit grote verlies.
Veel sterkte de komende tijd. We denken aan jullie.
Liefs,
Geertje, Benny, Jildou, Aiso en Welmoed.
Janny
Heel veel sterkte !! Zo snel er zijn geen woorden voor. Vanuit Nederland denken we aan jullie allemaal
Wim en Nicolien Hammink, Bruce South Dakota
We willen jullie condoleren met het grote verlies van Geert. Heel veel sterkte in deze moeilijke tijd. We denken aan jullie.
Jo
Dear Manny our sincere condolences to you and your family love and best wishes always the Hodgsons Hutton Hall Farms Uk