Louis Steegstra

STEEGSTRA, LOUIS GERALD February 28, 1935 – October 11, 2008

On October 11th, Louis was called into the presence of Jesus.  Louis’ life reflected the verse from 2 Timothy 1:12 “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed.”  His departure from this earth was labored, but his arrival will be a heavenly sprint.

Born February 28, 1935 in Groningen, Netherlands, he immigrated to Canada at age 18.  While plant manager of a Fraser Valley cannery, he met his wife, Mary.  After becoming a career agent with Great West Life, Louis was asked to develop the market in the BC interior.  In 1965, he and his family settled in Revelstoke, and over the next fifteen years became known as ‘Mr. Insurance’.  Louis served several terms variously as alderman, chairman of the local hospital board, and vice chairman of the school board.  Provincially, he served four years as regional director on the board of the governing Social Credit party.  Beyond civic involvement, his primary focus was to serve the pastors and congregation of Revelstoke Alliance Church.

In 1980 Louis moved to Calgary, and accepted a position as branch manager of the Calgary office for Equitable Life Insurance Company.  In 1986 he established Parity Agencies Ltd., specializing in Employee Benefits and Individual Investments.  During his 15 years in Calgary, Louis also acted as business consultant, and passionately served pastors and congregations of Southview and First Alliance churches.

In 1996 Louis moved Parity Agencies Ltd. back to the Fraser Valley to be closer to children and grandchildren.  In response to extensive business growth, Louis prepared a succession plan, inviting his daughter Jolene to assume the role of group benefits specialist, and son Kevin as Certified Financial Planner.  Throughout this transition of passing the baton, he continued to faithfully serve the pastors and congregation of Sevenoaks Alliance Church.

Louis’ greatest pride was his family.  Predeceased just eight weeks by his grand-daughter Andrea, Louis leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Mary (Reimer), five children, thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren:  Marlowe & Karen Steegstra (Nathaniel, Ariel, Micaiah, Axel, Mahalia, Anastasia), Kevin & Barb Steegstra (Abeni, Caleb, Riley), Glendine & Tim Skagen (Tiffany & Jason Key (Isaiah, Payton, Annika, Audrey), Brittany & Deon Bodill (Ezekiel, Gideon)), Bentley & Stella Steegstra (Andrea, Rachelle, Casandra), Jolene and Bob Friesen.

A Memorial Service took place at 1:30 p.m. on October 20, 2008 at Sevenoaks Alliance Church, 2575 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC.  In lieu of flowers, donations to:  Christian & Missionary Alliance, Global Advance Fund, 30 Carrier Dr Suite 100, Toronto ON M9W 5T7 or Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Palliative Tertiary Care Unit., FVHC Foundation 32900 Marshall Road, Abbotsford  BC  V2S 0C2 (604) 814-5190.

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