of Palmerston, was born July 20, 1940 in Hengelo, The Netherlands. He went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in his 86th year surrounded by his family. Beloved and loving husband for 61 years of Fredrika ‘Rieky’ Zemmelink. He will be deeply missed by his children: Johanna Zemmelink, Wynnie and Ian Van Maanen, Elizabeth and Gary Baker, John and Wanda Zemmelink, and Richard and Tracy Zemmelink. He was the loving Opa/Grandpa of 17 grandchildren: Callum Pope and Isabella Pope; Matthew and Ashley Van Maanen, Julia and Jan Van Den Boogaard, Joshua and Gloria Van Maanen, Luke and Joline Van Maanen, Jesse Van Maanen, and Abigail and Daniel Marshall; Johnathan Baker and Avery Urowitz, Mikala and Peter Giesbrecht, Noah Baker, and Thomas Baker; Tori Zemmelink, Sarah Zemmelink and Trent Zemmelink; Lauren Zemmelink and Emeline Zemmelink. He was proud of his 8 (and counting) great-grandchildren: Ava, Elia, Levi, Asher, and Jacob Van Maanen, and Abel, Joa, and Aletta Van Den Boogaard. Predeceased by his parents Hendrik and Wilhelmina ‘Mina’ Zemmelink of The Netherlands. He is survived by two brothers and their wives Bennie and Hennie Zemmelink, and Jan and Dinie Zemmelink, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Riek Zemmelink, Gert and Willy Looman, and Diny Lebbink, all in the Netherlands. Predeceased in Canada by brother- and sister-in-law Henk and Mineke ‘Wilma’ Looman. Predeceased in The Netherlands by brothers Derk Zemmelink, Gert Zemmelink, and Wim Zemmelink, and sister- and brothers-in-law Ali and Wim Luesink, and Gert Lebbink. Henk was born during the early part of WWII. He was the 3rd son of 6 son raised on a farm near Hengelo in Holland. Henk always enjoyed farming, and he attended Ag School as part of his education. He had the foresight to see the opportunity to farm in Canada. And with little more than suitcase in hand and Mom by his side they immigrated to Canada in 1961 to make a life. With both of them having lots of drive and a strong work ethic, they both found jobs in Minto Township and endeavored to learn what farming and life was like in Canada. After working for 3 years in Canada, they went back to Holland in 1964 to get married and immediately returned to Canada to start farming on their own on the 2nd of Minto Township. Henk always knew he wanted to milk cows and immediately bought a herd of 30 cows to start his and Mom’s (ad)venture. They bought the adjoining farm in 1969 (which is where they live now) and built an addition to the barn in 1974 to increase the milking herd to 50 cows. While growing the farm, they also grew their family to include three daughters and two sons and built a new house to accommodate them all. Henk always enjoyed “good cows” and through his kids’ involvement in 4-H showing calves, he worked hard to improve the herd, earning his Master Breeder Shield in 1997. Both Henk and Ricky enjoyed many trips across Canada to the Holstein Conventions, and never missed a Holstein Cattle Show or barn tour regardless of how far across the province they had to drive. Henk and Ricky became members of several communities. Their first was the Young Couples Club which were a group of young married couples who had all immigrated from Holland to Canada to farm. This group offered support to each other and evolved over time to the Friendship Club. They were also active members of Knox Calvin Presbyterian Church where Henk was an elder and sang in the choir. Henk also became involved with the Milk Board and became a Director with Gaylea. Henk also liked to give back, and he and Mom participated in several mission trips to the Dominican Republic. He was also an integral supporter of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank offering both his time and resources. Henk was a man of deep faith, and he lived his life accordingly with hard work, honesty, integrity, generosity and kindness, continually looking to help others. In turn, it was very important to him that he pass these values on to his children and grandchildren. Friends called at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Friday, October 3rd from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm. The funeral service was held from Knox-Calvin Presbyterian Church, Harriston on Saturday, October 4th at 1:00pm. Interment in Harriston Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Harriston Project of Canadian Foodgrains Bank would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
