August 4, 1926 - March 31, 2021
Siebe - A man who loved his Lord and Saviour, his family, and a good glass of scotch. He was born in Gorredijk, Friesland, The Netherlands, the youngest boy in a family of six siblings. Following his growing up years in World War II, he served in the Dutch army in Indonesia.
Immediately after marrying, Siebe immigrated to Canada in February 1952 with his bride, Hilly. They started out in Vancouver, where they raised their family among a large wave of Dutch immigrants, making their church home in the Christian Reformed Church.
In 1987 they moved to Comox, enjoying semi-retirement and then retirement. Telkwa, in northern BC, became home for a few years before their move to Salmon Arm in 1997.
Siebe volunteered in his church, Christian school community, and local community, most recently helping with the Salvation Army kettles during the Christmas season (where he engaged shoppers at the downtown liquor store kettle spot, certain that that increased donations).
He enjoyed his men's Saturday morning coffee group for many years at various locations around town. He faithfully served his wife during her illness and eight years at Hillside, Cottage 2, where he and the staff enjoyed each other's company.
Siebe was an avid reader both for pleasure and to keep informed. He loved engaging and joking around with anyone - from family to strangers. The dinner table was frequently host to boisterous discussions (we'll call them that).
He always had a supply of Dutch candy (droppies) to share - either in a tin at home or in his pockets - not to be confused with the dog treats he also kept in his pockets.
Many great memories were made camping at Cultus Lake, and in the Okanagan and Shuswap with his family - first when they were kids, then as adults, and later with grandkids. On one Shuswap camping trip, he went parasailing for his 60th birthday (which we thought was old at the time).
He enjoyed bargaining when shopping, to the embarrassment of his children when they were with him. Gadgets were an attraction, and he was always buying something new to try - it could be from the PNE, or later on, the shopping channel!
He gave up his driver's license at the age of 93. At 92, he bought a three-wheel electric assist trike which he enjoyed riding around town - sometimes at alarming speeds, and sometimes with a helmet.
Siebe is survived by: his children Witte (Wilma), Dewey (Norma), Arthur (Diane), Suzanne (Thomas), and Tina; grandchildren Margaret (Bill), Siebe (Rosie), Hilda (Travis), Suzanne (Mike), David (Kendra), Joel, Andrea (Andriy), Vanessa, Angela (Peter), Natasha, Jason (Miranda), Chris, Michael (Oliveah), Andrzej, and Nasz, and 13 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sister, Ietje Numan-van der Kam, and sister-in-law, Wiep Algra-Kuipers, both in The Netherlands. He was predeceased by: Hiltje (Hilly), his wife of 68 years (2020), and son, Johnny (1964).
Our family is very thankful for the care he received from the home care staff and Dr Aitchison during his illness. This allowed him to remain at home, where he died peacefully. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Service was held 06 April, 2021 at the Shuswap Memorial Cemetery, officiated by Art Numan.
Pallbearers: Syd (Siebe) Numan, Joel Numan, Andrea Numan, Chris Numan, Michael Numan, Andrzej Sokolowski.
Online condolences may be sent to Siebe's family through his obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com