Hendrik “Hank” van Rootselaar, longtime resident of the MD of Spirit River, passed away April 28, 2018, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 87 years.

Hank was born in Nijkerk, Netherlands and it was there on the family farm that Hank developed his love of farming. It was that same love of farming which would draw him to Canada at the age of 24. Hank worked numerous jobs chasing his dream from building rail bed in BC, to the logging camps of Alberta, to working on a farm by Sexsmith.

It was on a night out visiting friends that he would meet a young lady Belia Johanna Van Dien from Holland visiting her sister in 1962. As fate would have it, they would get married and purchase a farm near Spirit River that same year. There they would raise four children and operate a mixed farm until 2002, when they built the dream home Hank had promised Belia for their 40^th wedding anniversary.

Following the passing of his wife, Hank returned to Spirit River in 2008 and remained there for his remaining days.

Hank is survived by his children: Ron (Ligia), Nancy, Jo-anne (Denis), and Tony (Dixie); grandchildren Jaymee, Joshua, Brandon, and Megan; brothers: Wim (Marrie), and Nico (Tonny); sisters: Annie (Kees), Teunie, and Ria.

Hank was predeceased by his parents Teunis and Maria; and brothers: Kees, Driekus (Eef), and Teus (Marrie).

A Private Service for family, friends, and neighbors will be held on the family farm Saturday, July 7, 2018, at 2:00pm.