Obituary of Anthonie Vanden Ende

Anthonie VandenEnde, born December 17, 1926, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the age of 97.

Our father was the first born of Toon Van den Ende and Arendje Benne in Katwijk aan Zee in the Netherlands.  He lived an active childhood with his two brothers Arie and Gerard. He lived through WWII as a teenager.  After seminary, he fell in love with Mom – Antje (Ank) Hoeksema and they married.  They made their first home and had their first four children in Munnekeburen, Friesland in the Netherlands where he was Dominee to a tiny farming village congregation.  They emigrated to Brooks, Alberta in 1959 where they served until 1963 when they moved to Welland Junction, Ontario where 2 more children were born. In 1969 the family of 8 moved to our beloved family home in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  “Dominee/Reverend VandenEnde” didn’t really fit with the Maritime vibe so “Pastor Tony” became his new title there and it stuck.  That community shaped all of us and taught us much about generous hospitality, adventure and humor. In 1977 they moved to Strathroy, Ontario where Dad served at Westmount CRC and in 1987 to Brampton at Immanuel CRC. They retired to their final cozy home in Strathroy in 1995.  They had the pleasure and privilege of health, friends, grand and great grandchildren and travel.  

Dad’s calling to be a servant of Jesus came very early in his life and he responded to that calling willingly and very ably, pastoring with gentle conversations about eternal matters.  Singing, piano/organ playing, gardening, painting, carving, leatherwork, birthday cards and cooking were his passions.  And his raisin bread – it was legendary.

Dad mourned the loss of his granddaughter Rebekah Christine in 2002 and his Ank in 2010 as well as his two brothers Arie just this spring and Gerard in 2023.

He is survived by his wife Helen Tangelder, his children Tony, Jack and Cheryl, Arja and Gerry, Henk and Janet, John and Betty and Tim, 20 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, Helen’s children Alice Ann and Tony, Bernard and Sharon, Johan and Carol and Mary and 12 grandchildren.

Thank you for sharing your love with us.

Visitation will be held at DENNING’S OF STRATHROY on Wednesday, June 26^th ,2024 from 1:00p.m.- 3:30p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 27^th, 2024 at 11:00a.m. at Strathroy East Christian Reformed Church. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Strathroy East Christian Church website.  Reception will follow the funeral service, with the interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences and donations may be left at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.