Thelma Janet Tessemaker

Thelma Janet Tessemaker 

September 30, 2023

Thelma Tessemaker (née Versfelt), beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed into the arms of Jesus on the sunny autumn morning of September 30th, 2023. Her love and commitment to the Lord, as well as her courage and determination, were an inspiration to all who knew her. Thelma’s love for her family was immeasurable. 

Thelma was born in Alberta in the summer of 1951 to John and Janke Versfelt. She was the third of seven siblings (John, Brenda, Irene, Wayne, Dale, and Patricia). It was a busy household, where Thelma played an active role in helping with weekly chores and caring for her younger siblings as well as completing her studies - maintaining high grades in school. Thelma was gifted in many areas. She could sew, crochet, knit, play guitar, sing, and she was very talented at drawing and painting. She was a natural when it came to fashion and beauty. 

After high school, Thelma attended the University of British Columbia, working towards an education degree. During this time, she met the love of her life, Klaas Tessemaker, and they married in 1972. The newlyweds made their home in Alberta, where the birth of Jocelyn and Tanya Tessemaker followed within the next couple of years. Klaas and Thelma then moved to BC, where their third daughter, Amanda Tessemaker (Hogewoning) was born. 

Thelma’s faith in God was central to who she was. Both she and Klaas were always part of a church family and raised their daughters to know the Lord as well. When their children were small, Thelma volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, and is remembered fondly by her children for teaching them to memorize scripture, while encouraging them with small prizes! 

Thelma loved her family deeply. This was seen in her delicious home-cooked meals, trips to the hospital with her husband or a child for various ailments, sewing of Halloween costumes, assisting her daughters with last minute school projects, as well as through her thoughtfully written cards and carefully wrapped gifts for each and every occasion! Her grandchildren always looked forward to a candy treat bag from Grandma when they would go and visit her. Thelma’s love was quietly shown as well through her listening ear, pondered thoughts and private prayers.

Even while raising a family, Thelma continued to take on academic challenges, studying to complete a certificate in wealth management. Using her newly learned skills, Thelma worked as an assistant to a financial planner within a life insurance and investment company for close to 20 years. During these years, Thelma demonstrated an extreme dedication to her job - but most importantly towards the clients that she served. Thelma got to know each client personally. She enjoyed interacting with anyone she met, listening to their life stories, and sharing encouraging words with them. 

Thelma lived life to the full, despite facing multiple personal health challenges throughout the years. With each new diagnosis, Thelma, in faith, bravely faced both her treatment options as well as the lack thereof, when there seemed to be no answer for some of these health challenges. Thelma was friendly, kind and caring to fellow patients and medical staff in the hospitals where she was a patient. Her daughters fondly remember the times when Thelma would purchase little treats for them from the candy striper’s carts during her hospital stays.

Sadly, Thelma’s most recent hospital stay spanned two months. Within that time, she experienced many acute health challenges which weakened her body further, to the point where her body could no longer recover. Her family was able to spend the last two precious weeks with Thelma at her bedside. Her family would like to express their deep gratitude to the medical staff at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, for their attentive care and empathy.

Thelma was predeceased by her father, John Versfelt, who passed away in February of 2019. 

Thelma will be dearly missed by her husband, her daughters, her son-in-law (Ken), her grandchildren (Josiah, Isaac, Amarra, and Shenae), as well as by her mother and her siblings.

Thelma’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 1:00pm at Living Hope Christian Reformed Church at 34631 Old Clayburn Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 4H5.

For those who are unable to attend the memorial service in person, the following link is available for streaming: https://www.youtube.com/live/bibUAwLEWeU?si=YIPPU64NFA641Xb- 

In lieu of flowers, Thelma’s family asks that donations be made to ReFrame Ministries (reframeministries.org), a Christian ministry that was close to Thelma’s heart.