Cornelis (Kees) Van Aert
February 26, 1934 - October 13, 2024
CORNELIS (KEES) VAN AERT
February 26, 1934 – October 13, 2024
Cornelis (Kees) Van Aert passed away peacefully on October 13th, 2024 at East Gate Lodge in Beausejour, Manitoba surrounded by his loving family.
Kees leaves to mourn his children John (Patti), Richard (Colleen), JoAn (Dietrich), and Elly (Kelvin); his grandchildren, Marcel, Christine, Clarissa, Jocelyn, Rebecca, Emily, Austin, Anna and Kati; his great grandchildren, Alexander and Scarlett, all of whom he loved very much. Kees is also survived by his sister Cathy Van Gompel, sister-in-law Corry Van Aert and many nieces and nephews.
Kees is predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years Gerardina (Ine), his parents John and Maria, his sister Jean (George) Overwater, his brothers Jack (Mia), Adrian (Rita) George, Hank and his brother-in-law Fred Van Gompel.
Kees was born on February 26, 1934, in Breda, Netherlands. In June 1948, his family emigrated to Canada, initially working on a sugar beet farm in St. Eustache, Manitoba. In 1950, they relocated to Emo, Ontario. His family only stayed in Emo one year, but Kees chose to remain there, working at a greenhouse. He later returned to Manitoba, where he, alongside his brothers Hank and George, purchased a farm in St. Pierre in 1956. After facing challenges, they sold the farm in 1961.
In 1960, Kees met the love of his life, Gerardina (Ine) Bertens, and they were married in 1962. Kees worked at Feed Rite in Winnipeg during this time. In 1965, they purchased land northwest of Beausejour and began a successful hog and grain farming operation. They dedicated countless hours to building a loving home for their four children. Kees retired in 1993 but continued to contribute his skills at Phitzner Farms in St. Adolph until 2000.
Kees had a passion for gardening, dedicating many hours to his plants and trees. Kees enjoyed fishing, but his love was farming; he could talk about farming for hours. He would never miss an opportunity to drive a grain truck or a combine, and in his later years he would take any opportunity to ride along in the combine with his nephews. Known for his warm smile, hearty laugh and relentless work ethic, he exemplified the value of hard work to his family. Kees will missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to East Gate Lodge (Recreation Program) or the Stoney Plains Day Program, which dad was involved in for 10 years.
A graveside Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Beausejour, Manitoba. A reception will follow at Garson Community Centennial Centre at 11 Thompson Avenue, Garson, Manitoba.