Obituary of Cora Slothouber

Cora passed away, peacefully at Trinity Village on February 28, 2018 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Cora is predeceased by her husband, Norm Jan Slothouber (2010) and is survived by her children Jack (Betty), Mike (Cathie), Bette (Alan) Harley, and Kathy (Glyn) Williams and grandchildren, Chris, Norm (Sonia), Steve (Brittany), Nick (Erin), Tom (Holly), Cora (Jordan), Beth, Simon, Marissa, and Callum, and great grandchildren, Benjamin, Cora and Hendrix. Also survived by her brother Henk (Marianne) Vermeulen Utrecht, NL and sisters, Tena Minnema Kentwood, MI USA and Willy (Jack) Kamphuis, Concord, CA, USA, sisters-in-law Jane Slothouber, Smithville, ON, Dora Slothouber, Perth, Australia and Joke Karsenbarg, Haarlem, NL.

Predeceased by her parents, Henk and Bep (Broekhuis) Vermeulen, brother, Ad Vermeulen, son-in-law Mike Renaud, granddaughter Jessica Marie Slothouber, sisters-in-law, Marie Slothouber, Minette DeWitt, brothers-in-law, Jan, Eric, Niek, and Bem Slothouber, and Dr. Ted Minnema.

Cora was born in Amsterdam on January 17, 1933. She survived many challenges through the war, contributed to caring for her siblings, finished high school and volunteered as a Boy Scout leader. She worked as a telex operator, becoming fluent in morse code. Later she worked for Philips, NL where she met Norm and they entered a lengthy courtship. They married on March 11, 1955 and immigrated to Canada later that year. 

Her new home presented many new challenges; learning English, becoming a Mom, setting up a household and moving multiple times until they finally settled in Waterloo where they lived and raised their family.

She was an active member of her church and worked for many years as bulletin clerk and as secretary to the Campus Chaplains. 

Cora took an active part in her grandchildren’s lives and spent time teaching the ways of cooking, reading and gardening. She enjoyed creating intricate cross stitch projects and was an avid knitter making unique sweaters for her grandkids as well as hundreds of booties for new babies born in her church community. 

Cora’s baking skills were renowned in the family, neighbourhood and church, a skill passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Cora was burdened in her final years with Alzheimer’s dementia and was constantly looking for her home. We are thankful to God that she has finally ended her journey and is now home with her Father in heaven.

A memorial service will be held at Waterloo Christian Reformed Church, 209 Bearinger Rd., Waterloo on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Vicki Cok officiating. Cremation has taken place. A reception will immediately follow the service at the church.

Condolences for the family and memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of K-W and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank may be arranged through the funeral home www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.