Obituary of Herman Wygergangs

 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herman (Gulhelmus Josephus) Wygergangs.

 

Loving husband of the late Gerry Wygergangs (Van Hees) and loving father of Dianne (Glenn) Soetemans, Tony (Chris) Wygergangs, and Lucy (Tom) Deziel.

Proud Opa to Nicole (Adrian), Kevin (Andy), Ryan (Bailey), Luke, Brendan, Kyle (Christine), Troy, and Mitchell. 

Loving Great Opa to Matthew, Alyssa, Carson, and Maeve.

Brother to Riet, Martha, Ad, Nell, Dymphy, Bep, Ans, and Tony and predeceased by his brother Piet.

Herman will be fondly remembered by many loving brother and sister in-laws and all his nieces and nephews in Canada, Holland, Switzerland, and the US. 

 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at the BROOKE ALVINSTON INWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, 3310 Walnut St., Alvinston.

 

A private service will take place at a later date.

 

In memory of Herman, donations may be made to Four Counties Health Services Foundation.

 

Herman, you grew up as a middle child in a large family of ten and developed a close bond with all your siblings.  Farm chores kept you busy, but you eventually became a crane operator, and in 1973, decided to travel to Canada.  At the time, you were only going to stay for one year.  You worked across the country spending time in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec and grew to love life in Canada. In 1977, you bought a farm near Bothwell. You purchased some cattle and a horse and that was the beginning of your deep passion for farming.

 

After dad passed away, mom came to Canada to attend a wedding and met up with you and found happiness again.  When we moved to Canada and you married mom, you not only gained a wife but also three teenagers!  It was a difficult time for us but the two of you showed us what love is all about and what it takes to have a great marriage for 31 years. You shared your love of farming with mom and showed us the value of hard work, how to get through tough times, and how to have fun.  You sure made us feel like we were your own kids.

You and mom enjoyed many bike rides, crossword puzzles, reading, and going out to eat. Most of all, you loved spending time with your family, including visits from family from Holland and Switzerland.

 

You were incredibly proud of all your grandchildren. They enjoyed the many card and board games you played with them and all the times they helped you on the farm.  Once the great grandkids came along, they also enjoyed spending time with you.

 

You led a simple life and enjoyed it to the fullest. The small things made you happy; a coffee with the neighbours, friends or family, an occasional ice cream cone, and just spending time with us.  You were always good humoured and liked to tell lots of funny stories (some of them more than once). After being diagnosed with cancer, your positive attitude helped you fight back, and you were able to keep farming. 

 

Your favourite thing to say was “We Live Like Kings”.

 

Thank you for being the best husband, dad, Opa and Great Opa. 

 

 

We Live Like Kings

 

We live like kings

Not crowned in gold,

But rich in stories gently told,

Where peace and laughter freely flow.

 

No crown or throne, no grand events

Just meals we share and hearts content

The wealth we hold is found in time,

In whispered winds, in bells that chime.

 

We walk beneath the same old skies,

A friend, a song, a hand to hold

These are the treasures, not the gold.

 

So crown yourself in quiet grace,

In every smile, in every place.

Content and kind, and truly free

That is a life lived royally.