Bokma, Winston (Wietze) – Winston Bokma (1936-2026) of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, died peacefully in his home on January 16th, 2026. In the last few years, he often spoke of what it would be like to die and awake, “in the blink of an eye” looking at Jesus’ face. He told and re-told the story of the thief on the cross who believed in Jesus and was told by him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” We take comfort in the thought of him in paradise now.
Winston was born in the village of Oudemirdum, Friesland, in the Netherlands. His parents, Aaltje and Sjoerd raised him on a small farm with cows and pigs. He was the fifth of six children and the last of them to pass. His siblings were Douwe, Tine, Lies, Nelie and Siemen. Winston picked up the love of farming from his father at an early age. He immigrated to Nova Scotia with his lifelong friend, Jake Folkerstma, at the age of 18 with the dream of having his own farm. Before he left, a young woman named Sietske (Shirley) de Jong caught his eye and heart. They corresponded for two years when Winston asked her to marry him. He went back to Friesland to marry her and they boarded the Seven Seas ship just two days later.
Winston and Shirley enjoyed almost 68 wonderful years of marriage together. They raised eight children on the farm and became second parents to Melissa Simmons after her father passed away. Dad and Mom hosted hundreds of people over the years, whether it be a young Dutch farmer who came for the summer, family from afar, or visitors from church who stopped by for coffee or tea. Dad loved to talk about his faith and did so in earnest with visitors, friends, children, grandchildren, and strangers. Some fond memories his children have of dad are going for Sunday drives, taking breaks from working in the field with a carafe full of icy Koolaid, tea, and cookies, and having devotions at the table after our meals which sometimes dissolved into fits of giggles.
Winston worked to build Bokma Farms Ltd. which he passed on to his sons George, Andy and Donald and today is run by his grandchildren. He was a charter member of Faith Community Church, and served with the Shared Word (Gideons), Archway Counselling Association and the Shumilacke Food Bank. If you wish to make a donation in his name, these charities were dear to his heart.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; and children, George & Luanne Bokma, Andy & Connie Bokma, Donald & Evelyn Bokma, Ann & Henry TenNapel, Alice & Joe Seif, Jeffrey & Heidi Bokma, Linda & David de Jong, Roland & Sarah Bokma; grandchildren, Ben & Karmyn, Josiah & Sarah, Rebecca & Dan, Rachel & Charles, Sara, Nathan & Val, Nick & Melanie, Lucas & Amy, Melissa & Doug, Isaac & Anna, Laura & James, Julia & Doug, Jordan & Kendra, Alex, Jonathan & Gabriella, Adrianna & Jacob, Lydia & Steven, Renae & Brandon, Derek, Dayna, Elsie & Josh, Jeremy & Becca, Josh & Emily, Clayton, Owen & Louise, Hans, Kyle & Erica, Claire & Carson, Simon & Abigail, Gertie, Oliver, and Jesse. He was predeceased by Daniel.
Dad had fifty-three great-grandchildren and was predeceased by Miriam and Malachi.
The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate and skillful care provided by Angie, Michelle, Krish, Hailee, Emily, Fran, Brittany, Debbie, Sam, and VON staff. You have been one of God’s good gifts to our family at a difficult time!
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on January 23rd. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on January 24th, both in Faith Community Church, 29 Highway 14, Milford, NS. A reception will follow immediately after the service in Milford Recreation Center, 2288 Hwy 2, Milford, NS. The website for livestream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwv6R_dBRYOq6fSoOM7yoBQ
2 Corinthians 5:8 “To be absent from the body is to be in the present with the LORD”
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