Folgeren, The Netherlands, 18 February 1931 – Fergus ON, 13 December 2025 It is with sadness that we report the passing of mother Baukje deWitt of Fergus, Ontario, Canada. Mom was born in Folgeren, Smallingerland, Friesland, one of four children born to Jan deGroot, a gardener in civic service, and Dieuwke Alkema. She lost her father at a young age, and assisted her mother in a family business before training as a nurse, and working for years in the profession in the Netherlands and Canada. She had joined family in Canada in 1963, where she met Albert deWitt, also originally of Friesland. They married in Leeuwarden and after a honeymoon in Paris settled in Nichol Township, later moving to Fergus with their four children. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage before Dad’s passing in 2021 and were lifelong members of Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, where mom was active in study societies, alongside her work with Meals on Wheels and the Groves Memorial Community Hospital Auxiliary. Mom was able to enjoy her final years at Highland Manor with friends and family. Mom was predeceased by our brother John (2021), her husband Albert (2021), grandson Phillip (2004) and is survived by her brother, the Rev. Klaas de Groot, her children David, Lloyd, Joyce and spouses, devoted daughter-in-law Doris, grandchildren and a great-grandson. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered for her love of the Lord, her church and family. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home, 280 St. David Street South, Fergus. A graveside service will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00am at Belsyde Cemetery, 400 Thistle St, Fergus. The funeral service will follow at 11:00am at Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, 600 Belsyde Avenue East, Fergus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harvest Foundation or Anchor Christian Homes. Arrangements entrusted to Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home.
www.grahamgiddyfh.com