Mr. Govert Klemkerk passed away at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home Wednesday, August 28, 2013. Govert Marinus Klemkerk was born December 12, 1922 in Bussum Holland to Govert Marinus Klemkerk Sr. & Maria Visser. He took training in Amsterdam as a carpenter and later worked in his father's coal business. It was at this point that he went into hiding from the Nazi's only coming out at night with sister Margaretha to beg for food in exchange for coal. He came to Canada at the age of 26 arriving at the Port of Quebec and was in Yorkton SK from August 1948 until October 1951 moving to Toronto ON for a short time. In 1952 he returned to Yorkton and in 1955 moved to the Eden District working for Pete Blommaert on SE 30-25-01-W2 & NE 19-25-01 W2, RM of Wallace until moving back to Yorkton in May 1967. Govert married Catherine Blommaert in 1960 and together they farmed and owned a number of homes in Yorkton. He met Catherine through his employment at the Blommaert farm. After quitting farming he worked at the Yorkton Enterprise from 1977 to 1981. Govert lived a quiet, gentle unassuming life. The homes he and Catherine shared were always open to a stray or lost critter. Govert went into long term care in March 2004 and remained there until his passing. Govert was pre-deceased by his wife Catherine, parents Govert & Maria, a baby brother in infancy, sister Margaretha Otto, brother Walther Klemkerk, special guardian Eunice (Goulden) Off and is survived by his sister Helena (Ellen) Blaauw in Holland plus a niece and nephews. A Graveside Service was held on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Yorkton City Cemetery with Crystal Bailey, certified celebrant officiating. Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home.
