Jan "Henk" Hendrik Dunnewold

“ I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116: 1-2

Jan Hendrik (Henk) Dunnewold was born on May 17, 1932 in Winterswijk, in the province of Gelderland, in the Netherlands. He was the 8th of 9 children born to Jan Hendrik and Grada Hendrika Dunnewold. 

Henk was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Hanna Dunnewold in 2022. He is survived by his children; Walter (Glenda) Dunnewold, Grace (Keith) Ermter, and Paul Dunnewold, and 6 grandchildren; Zachary (Nicole) Dunnewold, Josiah (Ria) Dunnewold, Cyrus (Renee) Dunnewold, Morgan (Cayley) Ermter, Graham Ermter, Lukas Ermter (Katherine) and 6 great granddaughters; Kenna, Hadley, and Maren Dunnewold, Nora Dunnewold, and Micaiah and Larka Ermter. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Frieda Rohrer and brother-in-law Christian (Roesi) Rohrer in Switzerland. 

Henk grew up in the war-torn Netherlands and remembers the Canadians coming to liberate them in May 1945. This may have influenced his decision to immigrate to Canada on April 12, 1952 landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He traveled west in his car with some young friends in 1956 and settled in Calgary in 1958. 

While in Calgary, Henk met a Swiss woman named Hanna Rohrer and they married in 1960. After 1960, the family grew with the birth of Walter, Grace, and Paul. With the addition of Paul to the family, Henk began a lifetime commitment to understanding, supporting, and loving people with Prader Willi Syndrome and their families. 

Shortly after marriage, Henk went to SAIT and completed his land surveyor technologist training. He joined the City of Calgary as a land surveyor in 1960 and enjoyed a 35 year career in various roles with the City. In 1967, the family moved to their home in Glenbrook on 29th Avenue and he resided there until his move to Shalem in 2022. 

Henk had a strong faith rooted in the grace of Jesus and prayed daily for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Henk had many roles in his life including provider, gardener, inventor, friend, servant, faithful follower of God. 

A Celebration of his life will be held at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church (3020-51 St SW) on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM. The service will be live streamed at the following https://www.emmanuelcrc.org/  The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Shalem Senior Living Community that created a sense of belonging for Dad over the past three and a half years. They also thank the staff of Unit 93 at Rockyview Hospital for their loving care of Dad during his recent short hospital stay.  If desired, donations can be made to Rehoboth Christian Ministries, an organization dear to Dad’s heart.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jan "Henk" Hendrik Dunnewold, please visit our floral store.