Floris Johannes (Floyd) Molendyk
Floris Johannes Molendyk passed away peacefully at the Olds Hospital Continuing Care on January 27, 2016 after a brief convalescence at the age of 93 years. Floyd, who he was commonly known as, was born in Pernis, Holland on August 10, 1922, the fourth child of ten children born to Jan and Elizabeth Molendyk. He attended school in Pernis until grade seven after which he began farming with his grandfather Groeneveld doing farm chores. After two of Floyd’s uncles decided to emmigrate to Canada his grandfather sold the farm and Floyd continued farming with other local farmers throughout the war years. It was during this time on his way to work that Floyd noticed a young woman near Poortugaal, a nearby village, by the name of Maria Barendregt. After a of couple years of working for other farmers in occupied Holland, Floyd began working for himself. In 1947, Floyd along with his brother John, decided to emmigrate to Canada. On June 17, 1947 they boarded the Waterman, a converted war troopship. After a rough voyage across the North Atlantic they disembarked at Montreal and began the long train ride across Canada, ending at Blackie, Alberta. There Floyd began working on his Uncle Andrew Groeneveld’s farm. In 1949, Maria Barendregt arrived from Holland to join Floyd and on June 15, 1949 they were married at Dewinton, Alberta. In 1950, Floyd and Maria moved to the Sibbald, Alberta area to begin farming on their own. The next few years saw them moving to several farming locations. They fulfilled their dream of purchasing their own farm in 1958, just west of Torrington, Alberta. Floyd had a passion for livestock farming, whether it be cattle, hogs, chickens or turkeys. Floyd continued to be active in farming as he grew older but became more dedicated to his laying hens and his real love of vegetable and potato gardening up until he moved to the Kiwanis Lodge in Olds in December 2009. In March of 2013, Floyd moved into the Olds Hospital Continuing Care Facility. Floyd is survived by his children: Elizabeth Brooks of Acme, Neil (Debbie) Molendyk of Torrington, Marian (Craig) MacKenzie of Calgary; 7 grandchildren, Colleen Pipke (Rob) of Markerville, Greg Molendyk of Edmonton, Jason (Jane) Molendyk of Torrington, Kevin Molendyk of Torrington, Kari Kulyk of Tilley, Brent Brooks of Red Deer and Adam MacKenzie of Calgary; 8 great-grandchildren, Daegan and Silver Molendyk, Alyssa and Ashlyn Kulyk, Haley and Tate Pipke, Emily and William Molendyk; one sister Aagje Sekeris of Holland and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Floyd was predeceased by his wife Maria (1969), infant daughters Marian Claziena (1958) and Florence Dianne (1963), two sisters Elizabeth and Menzie and six brothers, Tony, Arie, Bill, Jacob, John and Janus. Floyd enjoyed life to it’s fullest with his family and many siblings and friends. The family would like to recognize and thank the staff at the Olds Hospital Continuing Care Facility and Doctor Gert Nel for their dedicated and compassionate care of Floyd for the past three years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 6, 2016 at the Olds United Church with Reverend Tammy Allan officiating. Interment to follow in the Olds Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance or Olds Hospital Long Term Care. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com