HAASEN, Arnoldina Haasen

HAASEN, Arnoldina Wilhelmina – Born October 9, 1925, in Asten, Netherlands to Franciscus and Johanna Maria (nee Berkers) van den Eerenbeemt-Berkers; died December 8, 2025, in Timmins, Ontario. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, Johannes Marinus Haasen. Dina is mourned by her children and their spouses, Hendrika and Randy (Klippenstein), Frank and Ivy (nee Graham). She leaves memories to be cherished by her grandchildren Jonathan Haasen (Lyndi Buchar), Sonya Cernik (Michael), Edward Haasen (Micheline Gallant), Katherine Klippenstein (Mathew Palmer), and Gabriel Klippenstein. She was great-grandmother to Damian Haasen (Aurela Kozmaqi), McKenzie and Paisley Cernik, and Jude Palmer. She is survived by her sister, Josephina (Hein, deceased) Schepers of the Netherlands. “Tante Dien” will also be remembered by her nieces and nephews in Canada and the Netherlands. Dina was predeceased by her sisters Maria and Maria Louisa in childhood and by eight of her adult siblings and their spouses, Willem van den Eerenbeemt, Piet (Bertha) van den Eerenbeemt, Mien (Wim) van de Wijnboom, Jaan (Piet) Verstappen, Sister Jans van den Eerenbeemt, Tonnie van den Eerenbeemt, Miet (Beer) Claessens, Louis (Thea) van den Eerenbeemt, all of the Netherlands. Dina also had close friendships with her many brothers- and sisters-in-law both in Canada and in the Netherlands.

Dina and John and immigrated to Canada in 1954, with their young child, Hendrika, and Frank was born in South Porcupine in 1955. They moved to the family farm in 1958 and Dina was a full partner in this enterprise until the age of sixty. Dina maintained close ties to her own and the Haasen family in the Netherlands by writing many, many aerogram letters. With her children she shared stories of life during the hardships of the Depression and World War II, but always with an emphasis on the love of family and the importance of faith. Once Dina and John had more leisure, trips to the Netherlands to visit the extended family were frequent. Dina was very proud to be, along with John, the oldest members of the Seniors’ Bowling League before retiring from her favourite hobby. What defined Dina’s life, however, was by her love of family, both near and far.

Enormous gratitude is extended to the staff of the Kamiskotia Unit at Extendicare, Timmins whose loving attention to Dina has been such a comfort to the family. The family would also like to thank Dr. Karen Armstrong whose years of care helped Dina reach the age of one hundred.

Visitation will be at LESSARD Funeral Home, Wednesday, December 10 from 7 to 9. Father John Lemire will offer the funeral mass at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral on Thursday, December 11 at 12 pm. The family will welcome family and friends at Haasen Farms following the funeral service for refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the building fund for St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral or to the Lord’s Kitchen Society, both of Timmins, or a charity of your choice would be a welcome tribute.