Background music sung by brother Harko

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Arnoldus Henderikus Wassing

(Arnold)

Born February 9, 1929 in 'tZandt, Groningen

Arnold 14 years old

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Arnold 17 years old

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Arnold at about 20 years of age, already a married man at this time. I think this was taken for his passport.

Arnold and Henny's engagement picture

Arnold and Henny by our home in Schatsborg, Arnold was a married man and in the army

Arnold and Henny's 25th anniversary.

Pretending to work? both of them in the park where they are living now for many years and almost 63 years married, what a wonderful blessing for them.

Arnold and Henny

65 years married

March 25, 2013

Congratulations

from all of us.

Bart passed away on February 29, 2004 in the Calgary hospital. He was given the wrong medication. He was the first son in this family of 10. I will always remember him

Arnold's Autobiography

Arnoldus Hendrikus Wassing was born at home on February 9th, 1929, 'tZandt Groningen. The whole country was slowly going into a deep recession. Arnold was the fourth child in the family. He grew up attended school and had many friends. Like his brothers he fought for his own place in the school crowd. Like the other family members he had to help out at home and do chores. During the war years he went out either with his older brothers or alone to find wood or anything that would be useful to the family. One night he came home with a sheep he had pulled out of the ditch. It was butchered right away with the older family members helping Mom cooking and canning meat in the middle of the night. You could not trust anybody in those days, not even your neighbor's for fear of being reported. After the war he bought himself a bike and spend most of his earning on that bike. He went all over the place on his bike and with his friends got into fights and played tricks on people, mostly on New Years eve though and on people he didn't like. He worked for his Father when he was done school he worked for him full time and earned a fair wage. He had no problem learning the trade. Dad always said that everything came very easy to Arnold and if he applied himself he could be anything he wanted. At a young age he fell in love with Henny Vanderwal and married her in March, 1948. Dad had bought a fruit and vegetable farm in another province and the couple moved there to manage the place. Arnold had another gift, he was very musical and played both the tuba and the trombone, he had a real special touch on the keys. He also loved sports. He played soccer and was fearless on the soccer field. When Dad and Mom decided to immigrate to Canada, Arnold and Henny, who had 3 little ones by then, decided to do the same and joined them that same year in Canada. Arnold and Henny went to Winnipeg Manitoba, where another child was born. Arnold started working for a farmer named Koene in Stonewal, Manitoba but moved to East Kildonan, Manitoba, for the required year but Arnold was not a farmer and when the oportunity arose to work for a malting plant on the south side of Transcona he jumped right at it, he became an assistant millwright but never got his degree. They bought a house in Transcona sold it and bought one in Oakbank, they lived there for several years till more children arrived, some of the kids were grown up. Ali, Johanna, Bart, John, Henry, Richard, Marcia, Maria, Arnold and Theresa. Most of Arnold's family had moved to Ontario by then, so they decided to try it too. Arnold worked in different places till he joined one of the brothers in a landscaping company that did very well but Arnold was not happy with it and wanted to try something else. He was offered a job in BC managing a trailer park and he accepted. He and Henny loved it there. Arnold designed and setup sites for permanent trailers and looked after all the landscaping. Henny helped in the office. They were offered a home there for as long as they lived. Arnold is still a lover of sports, baseball, curling, bowling and now it is golf and most of his children do also. Arnold still gives advise on the grounds in the park and he is well liked by everybody. Arnold and Henny have many grandchildren and great grandchildren. They lost their oldest son Bart in 2000, a very sad thing. Arnold and Henny still live in the same place. Arnold and his wife Henny are currently doing well. The older sibling have all passed away so that makes Arnold now the patriarch of the family. He is 83 years old and he and Henny are doing reasonably well. God bless them.

Arnold and Henny with most of the kids, getting ready for the big day I bet. Marcia must have organized this, she is good at it. Did a lot of work for the party as did Jo, who just had her operation for breast cancer and still kept on working. Nobody had been informed about her ordeal.

Arnold and Henny's 65 wedding anniversary celebration. 2 sons are missing. Bart and John.

Four sisters, Terry, Maria, Johanna and Marcia.

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Sister and brother, Terry and John, who was missing at the family do. Missed you John.

Brother and sister, Rick and Terry

Wassing Photo Albums of Family Treasures

Arnold's Album

Arnold and Henny Wassing on their wedding day, March 25, 1948

'tZandt, Groningen

Arnold and Henny Wassing's Wedding day. March 25, 1948.

Arnold/Arnoldweddingday11.jpg

This year 2013 Arnold and Henny will have been married for 65 years and will celebrate it with all who want to come to the park in Radium Hot Springs in the end of July, 2013

What an event that will be. I hope many will be able to attend.

Arnold and Henny on their 65th wedding anniversary celebration. Looking good for two goldie oldies folks. Toasting with what looks like, water and pop. Go for it.

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In the garden at home, a special moment I think.

Arnold and Henny in front of their house in Assen, Drenthe

Their first children, Ali and Johanna, Bart is sitting down.

Arnold sitting on his horse, still living in Assen

Here they are a little older sitting in the sandbox, Henry, Ali, Bart and Johanna

Here there are 4, Henry is the baby and he was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The family kept growing. Here are Henry, Richard and Ali in back. Marcia and John in front and I thing Maria is in the buggy.

Here they are at a family party I think. There were many such

Arnold with his two lovely oldest daughters, Ali on the left and Jo on the right

I am not sure which one this is so I need help please

Johanna's three children, Aaron, Adam and Samantha

Henny at work behind the counter at the park, directing the visitors to their site, always with a smile, anyway almost always

Maria with her husband James Pieter Vandenboom

Richard, Johanna, John and Henry together for Mom and Dad's anniversary I think

Marcia

Kevin Brown, Marcia's son

Aaron with his bride, went to sunny shores to get married, had all the information entered but it is gone or on another genealogy tree I think

Sandra Brown, Marcia's daughter. I am sorry to say I have very few pictures of Arnold's kids growing up.

Marcia with daughter Sandra, around thanksgiving for sure but not sure what the occasion was.

Arnold and Henny having a coffee in Radium Hot Springs BC.

Arnold, going golfing I bet. His favorite sport but is interested in all kinds of sport. Go Arnold

Johanna showing off her 3 kids. Adam and Samantha on the left and Aaron Zabenski on the right.

Adam Zabenski

Aaron with his daughter Ariel at Christmas time

One of the few pleasures left in later years, having a bite.

Marcia with son Kevin and grandson Tyler

Maria and husband Jim Vanden Boom with their son Edwin. Both Maria and Jim are deaf and talk in sign but Edwin hears and very young already would translate for them, amazing thing.

Marcia with her partner Dave Hofstetter and daughter Sandra

2 sisters, Theresa, AKA Terri and Johanna

Ali and husband Grant Costello

Jo and Adam

Johanna Wassing AKA Jo

Ali, Arnold and Henny's oldest daughter with her grandchild but I don't know which one.

Bart and Barbara Wassing. Bart was a trucker and moved around a lot. He passed away in Calgary, February 2004.

Marcia daughter Sandra and two grandchildren.

Arnold and Henny with all their children. They were 50 years married and a lot of us traveled to BC from Ontario to celebrate it with them. We had a lovely time.

Ali and Grant with their grandchildren in BC

Ali and Grant with half of their family on a outing, they don't have far to go to find a lake. They live in a wonderful area in BC

Marcia on the road with the vans she delivers all over the US. She loves to drive and in a job like that, she better.

Ariel, daughter of Aaron Zabenski, Johanna's grand daughter and Arnold and Henny's great grand daughter

Jo Wassing, one of her latest pictures I think

Arnold and Henny on their 60th anniversary with 5 of their children. John, Arnie, Theresa, Johanna and Ali

Henny, Ali and Arnold receiving an certificate from Pier 21 in Halifax for landing 60 years ago as immigrants. Wassing Family Reunion 2011.

Carrie Wassing, a daughter of Henry and Gail, with a new nephew. Henry's son Chad and his wife had this new addition. I think his name is Jack. No pictures of Chad and his wife, sorry.

Arnold and Henny with daughter Theresa on their 60th wedding anniversary.

Arnold with his 3 oldest daughters on the greens. All avid golfers. Arnold at 83 still plays golf every week

Arnold with part of his golfing buddies, all members of his own family, impressive Arnold. With all the fee's you guys paid, you should own a golf course by now.

Ali all dressed up for some reason, don't know the occasion.

Henny and her daughter Ali having a special moment on a special occasion.

Jo's daughter Samantha and Maria number 4 daughter of Arnold and Henny

Henny with Barbara the widow of son Bart

This is Henry, Arnold and Henny's second son, he seems to be having a peaceful moment with a drink here.

Marcia and Ali in front of one of the van's that Marcia delivers all over the place.

Grant and Ali, one of the latest pictures, taken in BC. I think

Marcia with her 3 grandchildren, don't know the names.

Henry's son Chad with his 2 children, don't know their names either,the boy is Jack I think.

Arnold and Henny surrounded by the oldest daughter Ali and husband Grant and her family. Sorry I don't know any of the names.

Arnold either proudly showing his handiwork or just enjoying this beautiful designed and displayed berm.

Henny enjoying the sun or maybe trying to keep the old bones warm. Either way, looks comfy.

Two of the five sisiters, Maria and Marcia.

Theresa, the youngest of the five daughters. She is now known mostly by everybody as Terry.

Mother and daughter posing for a fun picture. I took them of the Internet so no idea where and when they were taken.

Ali and Jo, relaxing on the deck. I understand from Jo's comments online that Ali had a mouth full of wine. Go girl, good for your health.

Henny and Jo with her son Adam, not often seen on pictures. Don't know where this was taken either.

Arnold with Jo, a nice moment between father and daughter.

Arnold/Jowassing.jpg

Johanna Wassing, as she is now. Aged to perfection, right Jo?

Marcia, a professional driver. She brings these vans all over the United States.

This is Samantha with her boyfriend, sorry I forgot his name. Tell me someone.

Maria in her nightgown, got it as a present I bet. Jim and Edwin, are watching in the background. Looks good Maria.

Jo, Henry and Maria, getting ready to decorate the hall, waiting for the others I bet.

Ali and Grant's latest picture. Getting their old age pensions soon, where has the time gone.

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