2 December 1999
Lourens Visser, 88, of Emo, Ont., passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
He was born Nov. 3, 1911 in Drachten, Friesland, The Netherlands, and was was united in marriage to Tina (Wieringsma) on May 19, 1938. In the summer of 1957, Lourens and Tina, along with their five sons, immigrated to Canada and, in 1959, settled in Rainy River District.
In the Netherlands, Lourens, as owner of a cigar factory, started the brand name Peter Stuyvesant. Besides being a gymnast, one of his most amazing feats there was completing the 200-km ice skating marathon, the Elf Steden Tocht (Eleven Cities Tour), not once but five times.
In his early years in Canada, Lourens was a painter and part-time farmer. In 1966, he became the manager of the F.F.H.S. Sports Department until his retirement in 1976.
During those years, he was the moving force in many athletic programs but particularly his beloved gymnastics. The gymnastics club, Visserettes, was named in his honour.
Lourens was a man of wide tastes and had a delightful sense of humour. He wrote songs, volumes of interesting poetry, and many stories of his life. He also has many tapes of the songs he loved to sing. He sang at numerous special occasions, and was especially noted for singing the national anthems at the Emo stock car races.
Surviving him are his wife, Tina, of 61 years; their five sons and their families, Richard and Metta (Melanie & Don and Anthony) of Emo, Ont., John and Liz (Roy and Neil) of Surrey, B.C., Syd and Joyce (Alex and Gina) of Delta, B.C., Sam and Marlene (Brenda, Tony & Jaryd, and Charlene & Mike) of Emo, Ont., and Meine and Cathy (Linnea & Craig, Lauren, Siebern, Tina and Brian) of Worth. Ill.; and one sister, one sister in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews in The Netherlands.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Sietske, on Feb. 16, 1943.
A private family service was held Saturday, Dec. 4 at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Cremation has taken place, with a memorial “Celebration of Life Service” in his honour to be held on Jan. 8, 2000 at 2 p.m. at the Emo Legion.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Fort Frances Visserettes & Boys Gymnastics Club, c/o Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy, 835 McKenzie Ave., For Frances, Ont., P9A 3B5, or to the charity of your choice.