Remembering our roots ~ Gene & Elisabeth Struiksma

Times Contributor

 

Gene’s family originated in Holland around the 17th century. He was born there in 1944, and has three older brothers and a younger one. His parents ran a dairy farm in Holland, before immigrating to Lethbridge, Alta. in June 1950. His father and three older brothers initially worked on a farm in Lethbridge, before moving to a cattle and sheep ranch at Magrath for a year. They returned to Lethbridge and worked for a few months at a sugar beet and vegetables farm, before moving to a small acreage near the old Calgary Airport. 

As a winter pastime, his father raised chickens and a few cows, then in the summer accompanied by the three older brothers they worked with construction crews, and assisted in building the 14th Street Bridge over the Bow River, as well as some buildings in downtown. They moved to Strathmore in 1956, buying the Joe Laycock farm, situated about one mile north of town. 

Finally, after six long years, his father was able to resume the work he enjoyed the most – being a dairy farmer. Gene attended school in Lethbridge, Magrath, Calgary and Strathmore, then completed evening programs at SAIT, for his Journeyman’s Certificate for Painting and Decorating.

Elisabeth was born in Holland in 1946, and immigrated to Calgary in 1958, with her parents Maarten and Maartje Hoogesteger and sister Henny (Hendrika). Henny suffered with asthma in Holland, and the family move to Southern Alberta was very beneficial for her. The family moved to Strathmore in 1959, so that her father could open his own business without too much competition. Few people could pronounce his surname, so the business opened with the name “Martin the Painter!” 

Elisabeth completed her education here, and after graduating went on to work for an insurance company and the then local newspaper. 

Gene apprenticed under Martin the Painter, then worked there for the next 16 years until Martin retired. During this time he met and courted Elisabeth, and they were married in Strathmore United Church in 1967, and have a son, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Gene took over the business from his father-in-law, and renamed it Strathmore Decorating Ltd, and it continues in business to this day under the watchful eye of their nephew.

Their community activities mainly revolve around the United Church where Gene serves with the Church Maintenance Committee, works at the Thrift Sale, and volunteers with The Christmas Hamper Society. Elisabeth is the church photographer, a member of UCW, a leader at the Thrift Sale, and a member of Strathmore Hospital Auxiliary.

They advised that the town’s population was around 900 in 1960! There was only one physician in town – Dr Giffen, and now there are 14! And, there were only three churches – United, Anglican and Catholic. Now, there are over 12.