Alvin Derksen Obituary
Alvin James Derksen was born on June 15, 1953 to Abe and Elizabeth Derksen. He grew up in a loving Christian home. Alvin took membership classes in 1971 where he accepted Christ as his Saviour.
He “graduated”, (according to him) when he was in grade 11, on February 22, 1970. Alvin had started pumping gas at Hometown when he was 14 years old. He enjoyed working with his Dad and his uncles and learned a lot from them. After he quit school, Alvin worked in the back shop at Hometown, then moved to Parts, then to Sales, and after Dad’s stroke in 1990 he took over running the dealership which was a very stressful time for him. He, along with his Dad bought Hometown Ford in 1973 taking on a great financial risk at the age of 20. He worked hard and there were long hours building up the dealership. He enjoyed working with his brothers and they all worked well together each having their own role in the business, and he enjoyed the talks they had.
Alvin enjoyed motorcycling, numerous trips were in the U.S.A., alone, with brothers, friends, and with Martha. He restored and owned a number of 1955-57 Thunderbirds, and he owned a number of unique cars like a 1965 Shelby Mustang, a 1972 Pantera, a 1957 Retractable, and a 1956 glass top Crown Victoria.
He very much adored, loved and enjoyed ALL his nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was sometimes referred to as being their third grandpa. Alvin also enjoyed the neighbourhood kids when he and Martha moved to town, needing to stop and chat when he was going for a walk or bike ride.
Alvin very much enjoyed and got attached to dogs, with a soft spot for German Shepherds, which he had a few of. He loved to joke and kept that humour right till his last day with us.
Alvin was the family historian on Mom’s side after his Uncle Peter Hamm passed away. He had soaked up a lot of family history from him. Alvin always enjoyed reading the news about world happenings.
While living on the acreage Alvin enjoyed doing yard work and keeping everything trimmed up. When Alvin and Martha moved into town and had a smaller yard, he enjoyed working in his workshop on his metal lathe and milling machine creating tools out of steel. He watched a lot of YouTube videos for ideas.
Alvin married Martha Penner on June 1, 1997 in a small Anglican church in the Pembina Hills. They shared 28 years and 9 months together.
Alvin started his health journey with back surgery in June 2022. In October 2023 he received a diagnosis of bladder cancer. With 2 surgeries, some chemo and radiation treatments over a span of 1.5 years, they thought he was clear of cancer. Severe back pain returned in the fall of 2025. On February 27, 2026 he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the liver and spine.
In his final days he mentioned that he was at peace and had had a good life. Alvin passed on peacefully at BTHC on March 6, 2026 at the age of 72 years with family by his side.
Alvin leaves to cherish with lots of good memories, his wife Martha, his Mom Elizabeth Derksen, brothers Dennis (Debbie), Ron (Kris), and Bob (Heather), in-laws Ruth (Cornie) Wiebe, Lydia (Cyril) Healey, and many nieces and nephews. Also, very long close friends Lloyd & Yvonne Elias. He was predeceased by his father Abe Derksen in 2009, and a sister, Janice Anne in infancy.
Thank you for your support through All the prayers, hugs, and words of encouragement. God has graciously answered each prayer. They are appreciated and are what is carrying us through this time.
Thank you to Pastors Rob Haslam and Andrew Sherman, to Wiebe Funeral Home, and the staff at BTHC for their compassionate care.
Alvin James Derksen was born on June 15, 1953 to Abe and Elizabeth Derksen. He grew up in a loving Christian home. Alvin took membership classes in 1971 where he accepted Christ as his Saviour.
He “graduated”, (according to him) when he was in grade 11, on February 22, 1970. Alvin had started pumping gas at Hometown when he was 14 years old. He enjoyed working with his Dad and his uncles and learned a lot from them. After he quit school, Alvin worked in the back shop at Hometown, then moved to Parts, then to Sales, and after Dad’s stroke in 1990 he took over running the dealership which was a very stressful time for him. He, along with his Dad bought Hometown Ford in 1973 taking on a great financial risk at the age of 20. He worked hard and there were long hours building up the dealership. He enjoyed working with his brothers and they all worked well together each having their own role in the business, and he enjoyed the talks they had.
Alvin enjoyed motorcycling, numerous trips were in the U.S.A., alone, with brothers, friends, and with Martha. He restored and owned a number of 1955-57 Thunderbirds, and he owned a number of unique cars like a 1965 Shelby Mustang, a 1972 Pantera, a 1957 Retractable, and a 1956 glass top Crown Victoria.
He very much adored, loved and enjoyed ALL his nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was sometimes referred to as being their third grandpa. Alvin also enjoyed the neighbourhood kids when he and Martha moved to town, needing to stop and chat when he was going for a walk or bike ride.
Alvin very much enjoyed and got attached to dogs, with a soft spot for German Shepherds, which he had a few of. He loved to joke and kept that humour right till his last day with us.
Alvin was the family historian on Mom’s side after his Uncle Peter Hamm passed away. He had soaked up a lot of family history from him. Alvin always enjoyed reading the news about world happenings.
While living on the acreage Alvin enjoyed doing yard work and keeping everything trimmed up. When Alvin and Martha moved into town and had a smaller yard, he enjoyed working in his workshop on his metal lathe and milling machine creating tools out of steel. He watched a lot of YouTube videos for ideas.
Alvin married Martha Penner on June 1, 1997 in a small Anglican church in the Pembina Hills. They shared 28 years and 9 months together.
Alvin started his health journey with back surgery in June 2022. In October 2023 he received a diagnosis of bladder cancer. With 2 surgeries, some chemo and radiation treatments over a span of 1.5 years, they thought he was clear of cancer. Severe back pain returned in the fall of 2025. On February 27, 2026 he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the liver and spine.
In his final days he mentioned that he was at peace and had had a good life. Alvin passed on peacefully at BTHC on March 6, 2026 at the age of 72 years with family by his side.
Alvin leaves to cherish with lots of good memories, his wife Martha, his Mom Elizabeth Derksen, brothers Dennis (Debbie), Ron (Kris), and Bob (Heather), in-laws Ruth (Cornie) Wiebe, Lydia (Cyril) Healey, and many nieces and nephews. Also, very long close friends Lloyd & Yvonne Elias. He was predeceased by his father Abe Derksen in 2009, and a sister, Janice Anne in infancy.
Thank you for your support through All the prayers, hugs, and words of encouragement. God has graciously answered each prayer. They are appreciated and are what is carrying us through this time.
Thank you to Pastors Rob Haslam and Andrew Sherman, to Wiebe Funeral Home, and the staff at BTHC for their compassionate care.