Remembering our roots ~ Corrie Van Laar

Times Contributor

 

Corrie was born on a mixed dairy farm, near Barneveld, Holland in 1933, the oldest of a family of six. This farm was located near the main road from Amerstoort to Apeldoorn, and with a mainline railway nearby, it became an important transport corridor when the German Army invaded Holland. However, before the anticipated invasion started, everyone from around Barneveld was evacuated to Ermelo. Corrie’s family was moved by one of their neighbours in his horse drawn wagon. Her father had already been called up to serve with the Dutch Army. But, the invasion never came, so after five days they returned home to Barneveld, where the house was still standing, but there was no sign of their livestock which mother had turned loose before leaving! Throughout the war, their house was used by many evacuees, all of whom had to be fed. Mom baked bread from grain and flour obtained from a nearby mill, in a special home-made oven made of brick, and heated by wood (no coal), about 20 loaves at a time. There was very little meat available, but they did have lots of fresh homegrown fruit and vegetables. After the war she completed her education by taking a Home Economics course, specializing in Dress Design and Dress Making.

Corrie’s husband Bernard “Ben” Van Laar, was also born on a mixed dairy farm at Ede, Holland in 1929, one of the youngest of a family of 14. During the war, his family helped members of the underground to escape, by hiding them in haystacks, etc when German Troops came to the farm. After the war he attended Agriculture College at Nykerk, as he wanted to become a dairy farmer. They were married in Holland on Feb. 1, 1951 and the following year they sailed from The Hague to Halifax, landing at the infamous Pier 21 where so many immigrants first landed on Canadian soil. They had one son born in Holland, and three additional children born in Canada. They now have 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, including twin boys. 

When I asked why they came to Southern Alberta, Corrie advised there were other family members already here. Initially, Ben worked as a farm labourer for various owners, then started renting farms for their own use. Finally, in 1965 they were able to purchase their own farm, four miles north of Standard, and operated it as a mixed farm until 1974 when they moved into a bungalow they’d built in Standard.Their eldest son Barry and wife Heather took over the farm, and still operate it to this day.

In 1972, Corrie and Ben purchased the Tire Shop in Standard, which they owned for the next 22 years. Apart from selling, installing, repairing tires, they also drove the school bus, and operated the snow plough. Corrie was supervisor of the Standard Campground for 11 years, which required her to collect camping fees and clean the washrooms, etc.

In 1994, Ben retired from farming and moved to Lambert Village in Strathmore, where he lived until being diagnosed with cancer. He returned to Standard, where he and Corrie became very involved in the activities of the Standard Senior’s Club, known as “Young at Heart”, and lived there for the rest of his life. Regretfully, Ben passed away from cancer in 2002. 

Corrie stayed on in Standard until moving to Strathmore late last year. She was well known for her gardening expertise, and when her house finally went up ‘For Sale,’ the advert was entitled ‘Gardeners Paradise.’ Every year, she had a large productive vegetable garden as well as abundant flowers.

In the early years, while the family was growing up, Corrie volunteered with the local cubs and scouts, helped with the 4-H Sewing Club, and 4-H Public Speaking. She also volunteered at WFCSS and the Crisis Shelter. To this day she is a member of the Standard Senior’s Club, and since she moved to Strathmore has become a member of the Strathmore Alliance Church. Canada has been a great place to live and raise a family.