DEKEYSER
Albert Jules
June 29, 1950 - April 14, 2020
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Bert (Albert) Dekeyser at the Drumheller Health Centre on April 14, 2020. The family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors and home care workers who have provided such exemplary care of Bert over the past months. Bert came into the world on June 29,1950 and began life living on the farm where he resided until his passing. Bert used to laugh that he had 3 traumatic moves in his life and never left the farm, only moving between houses on the farm. He began his chosen career at the age of 16 with a small herd of cattle while learning how to work and manage a farm by working closely with his father. Bert spent many special mornings, at the break of day, out in the garden with his father discussing life and what work they were going to do that day. They worked hard putting in long hours in the field. However Bert didn’t spend all of his time working. In 1969 Bert met Penny Miller through mutual friends and they were married on December 5, 1970. The Dekeyser farm family expanded in 1971 with the birth of Tim and became complete in 1972 with the birth of Jay. When he wasn’t out working in the fields, evenings were spent playing cards or board games with family and friends. Days off in the summer were spent horseback riding with the family or camping with family and friends. Winter days or evenings off were spent tobogganing or snowmobiling. Along with feeding and tending to a herd of cows, many a Saturday was spent in a hockey arena either watching Jay play or playing himself in the “Old Timers” 35 plus league. Bert really enjoyed watching his sons compete in their chosen sports, Tim’s bowling tournaments and Jay’s hockey and downhill skiing competitions. Although Bert was unable to attend the Canadian National Special Olympic Games in February this year he was cheering louder than anyone as Jay won 3 medals! Bert loved to travel and he and Penny enjoyed many winter vacations flying to Hawaii, the Caribbean, San Antonio, and many Oceanside resorts in Mexico before touring all of the lower states of the US. After retiring from work on the farm, Bert and Penny purchased a winter home in Yuma where once again cards and board games with friends became part of their life along with water volleyball, and various festivals and shows. Camping became a big part of their summer where they shared many an hour of fun and laughter with family and friends. Bert was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2018. In spite of this diagnosis and the treatments that followed, Bert managed to maintain his sense of humor and kept everyone entertained with his stories of past days and escapades right up to the very end. Bert was predeceased by his father Albert Dekeyser, mother Lucille Dekeyser, father-in-law Pat Miller and mother-in-law Norma Fizer. Bert leaves to mourn his wife Penny, sons Tim and Jay, sister Carmen (Don) Howard, brother-in-law Kelly Miller, sisters-in-law Kathy (Fred) Bagley and Robbie (Jeff) Masciangelo, and numerous nephews and nieces. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather again. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation. Courtney-Winters Funeral Homes 403-823-2666 are in care of the arrangements.
