Dirk van Nieuwkerk, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Dirk (also known as Dick) was born on March 18, 1952 in Bassano, AB and was raised in the Tilley area in southern Alberta and also in Ontario. He was educated mostly in the County of Newell in Brooks area and graduated from high school in 1970. Dick loved Carpentry and attended Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to receive his Journeyman Carpenter designation. He graduated in 1975 with the highest marks in southern Alberta in Fourth Year Carpentry.

He began his career working with concrete. Eventually, through forming his own company, Satellite General Contractors Ltd., he followed his passion into residential framing. Working in Medicine Hat, central Alberta, and then in the Grande Prairie area for forty-three years, he loved the variety of work available. He and his brother, Art, worked together for twenty-five of those years.

He also loved volunteering in ministry to children at Grande Prairie Alliance Church, and especially in passing along his passion for building to the preteens.

Dick was a quiet guy with a twinkle in his eye and a smart remark for most situations. You could be guaranteed that his welcome would be warm and teasing. His strength of character was a comfort to many over the years.

Dick will be sadly missed by his wife Colleen (nee Scheuerman) of forty-six years; children: Jason (Michelle), Jeremy (Chrystale), and Joshua (Jessica); grandchildren: Rylie (Mckayla) who are expecting our first great-grandchild, Tyler, Zachary, and Spencer; Maia and Hendrik; and Felix, Pepper, Atticus, and Grandson #8 arriving in January; brother Art (Darlene); sisters Linda (Orval) and Cathy; father in-law Laverne Scheuerman; in-laws Bernice (Rod), Terry (Eileen), Ken (Reta), and Michael (Rym); as well as numerous nephews and nieces, and many friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Hendrik and Maartje van Nieuwkerk, and his mother in-law, Della Scheuerman.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 11 AM at Grande Prairie Alliance Church (15502 102 St.).

Memorial donations may be made to Grande Prairie Alliance Church Building Fund (15502 102 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8X 0J6) or Rising Above Ministries (11007 106 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 2Z3).