Jacob Z. Derksen, resident of Grande Prairie, formerly of Cleardale, AB passed away Monday, January 8, 2018, at the age of 85 years.

Jacob was born on February 7, 1932 in Blumenthal, SK. At the age of 21, the family moved to the La Crete, AB area. A few years later he married Anna Bergen. A year later they packed up their little family and moved to Cleardale, where he became one of the pioneers of the community; where he homesteaded, logged, raised his family and retired. At the age of 67, Parkinson’s made its way into his life and health issues brought them to Grande Prairie, where he passed away.

Jacob had a dry sense of humor, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, always telling jokes to his grandkids and played a hard game of crokinole!

In retirement he spent many hours woodworking, making many crokinole, aggravation boards, and wooden toys. He enjoyed listening to Oilers hockey play-by-play.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Anna; children: Henry (Anita) Derksen, Helena (Paul) MacLean, George (Angie) Derksen, Trudy (Isaac) Klassen, Sara (Phil) Fehr and Anna (Dave) Friesen; grandchildren: Joseph (Teresa), Esther (David), Julius (Holly), Luke, William (Yani), Anthony (Madison), Benjamin (Raelynn), Jonathon, Jeremy, Joshua (Wraia), Jason (Celeste), Joseph (Karissa), Timothy (Erica), Elizabeth, Margaret, Rebecca, Hannah, Nathaniel, Junia, Levi, and Liam; as well as 13 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents Jacob M. and Helena (Zacharias) Derksen, stepmother Anna Braun, two sisters, two brothers, and granddaughter Genevieve.

The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2018, at 3:00pm, at Cleardale Gospel Chapel, in Cleardale with a viewing held prior at 2:00pm.

Following the service, interment will take place at Cleardale Community Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon at the church.

The family wishes to express their thanks for the many expressions of sympathy, generosity and for the assistance of their friends and neighbours.