Ralph John Poelman went home to be with his Savior and Lord peacefully on May 13, 2025, at the age of 100 with his family present. On April 17th of this year, he celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends at the Fort Macleod Extendicare.
Ralph was born April 17, 1925, in the family home on the farm in Granum, AB. He was raised by George and Mendine Poelman along with his two brothers and three sisters. It was a childhood filled with chores and farm life at a young age. He attended Jumbo Valley country school about a quarter mile west of the current CRC church for all nine grades. After finishing school, he stayed on the farm to help raise horses, cows and chickens. One of his first memories was going to church in a model T-Ford. The men sat on one side of the church and the ladies on the other side. The service then was in Dutch.
He was an enthusiastic left-handed pitcher in any baseball game he could participate in, especially at church picnics. He also really enjoyed going to hockey games with his children. Other activities he enjoyed were visiting with others, travelling, fishing, and anything where he could talk with people.
Always being a member of the Christian Reformed Church, his faith was important to him. No matter where he lived, he always found a church to be part of. Through the years he spent many terms on council, he was a dedicated visitor to the sick and elderly and they enjoyed his encouragement, prayers and support. Rarely did he have a conversation where he couldn't find an opportunity to share his faith and who Christ was to him.
He is fondly remembered by his children, Albert, Medena, Jerry, Leroy, Doris and their spouses, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, and two sisters Jenny and Henrietta.
He was predeceased by his wife Wilma, daughter Leona, his brothers Bill and Klaas, and his sister Hilda.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the GRANUM CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH.
Please consider making a memorial donation to a charity of choice or to:
Kyndra’s Foundation of Love
c/o Christian Stewardship Services
214A-500 Alden Road
Markham, Ontario
L3R 5H5
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