Johannes Trijnco (Hans) Borst, of Elm Creek, Manitoba, after 57 years of marriage to his dear wife Dini, went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2026, after a short battle with sarcoma cancer.
Hans was born on April 15, 1946, to Antonie and Lubbigjen Borst - Van der Wal in Zwollekerspel the Netherlands. He was raised on the farm with his little sister Bertha where their family grew vegetables for market and milked cows. He received his diplomas from primary agricultural school in Heino and secondary agricultural school in Zwolle. Hans liked to engineer things that made work easier and more efficient, and he spent many hours reading about new innovations in agriculture, applying ones he liked to his own farm.
In 1965 he met Dini Bouwhuis, and they were married on June 26, 1968. The Lord blessed them with 5 children. In 1969 a move was made to Lemelerveld, Overijssel. There, he farmed together with his parents on a dairy farm; he and Dini also started a hog farm, eventually taking over the dairy as well. In 1984, Hans and Dini moved the family to Canada where they saw more opportunities for the family farm to grow.
In Canada a dairy farm was purchased in Elm Creek. Hans spent many years farming and being involved in the dairy industry and the local community in various capacities. He was involved in the Elm Creek Coop Board and the MB Holstein Branch, the local Holstein club and served many years on the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Milk Board. After retiring from the milk board, he found a new hobby that turned into a new farming passion. He took a keen interest in honeybees and found joy in God’s intricate creation working with the bees together with Dini. Hans gave up the bees about a year ago. In Hans & Dini’s free time they often spent many hours touring the countryside and visiting new places and friends including trips back to the Netherlands to visit their extended family there and especially Alex and Krista and the kids.
Hans was a tenacious person, which was a beneficial character trait for a dairy or bee farmer. This character trait was also an asset during the different health crises in his life. Hans firmly believed that his Heavenly Father was watching over him and in control of his life. His faith brought him through the difficult times.
He leaves behind his dear wife Dini and his children Lucie (Ron) de Ruiter, Ralph (Maaike) Borst, Anton (Cheryl) Borst, Alex (Krista) Borst, Adrianne (Steve) Vandersluis, 27 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Hans was born on April 15, 1946, to Antonie and Lubbigjen Borst - Van der Wal in Zwollekerspel the Netherlands. He was raised on the farm with his little sister Bertha where their family grew vegetables for market and milked cows. He received his diplomas from primary agricultural school in Heino and secondary agricultural school in Zwolle. Hans liked to engineer things that made work easier and more efficient, and he spent many hours reading about new innovations in agriculture, applying ones he liked to his own farm.
In 1965 he met Dini Bouwhuis, and they were married on June 26, 1968. The Lord blessed them with 5 children. In 1969 a move was made to Lemelerveld, Overijssel. There, he farmed together with his parents on a dairy farm; he and Dini also started a hog farm, eventually taking over the dairy as well. In 1984, Hans and Dini moved the family to Canada where they saw more opportunities for the family farm to grow.
In Canada a dairy farm was purchased in Elm Creek. Hans spent many years farming and being involved in the dairy industry and the local community in various capacities. He was involved in the Elm Creek Coop Board and the MB Holstein Branch, the local Holstein club and served many years on the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Milk Board. After retiring from the milk board, he found a new hobby that turned into a new farming passion. He took a keen interest in honeybees and found joy in God’s intricate creation working with the bees together with Dini. Hans gave up the bees about a year ago. In Hans & Dini’s free time they often spent many hours touring the countryside and visiting new places and friends including trips back to the Netherlands to visit their extended family there and especially Alex and Krista and the kids.
Hans was a tenacious person, which was a beneficial character trait for a dairy or bee farmer. This character trait was also an asset during the different health crises in his life. Hans firmly believed that his Heavenly Father was watching over him and in control of his life. His faith brought him through the difficult times.
He leaves behind his dear wife Dini and his children Lucie (Ron) de Ruiter, Ralph (Maaike) Borst, Anton (Cheryl) Borst, Alex (Krista) Borst, Adrianne (Steve) Vandersluis, 27 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.