Mary Ann Van Der Kloet
Posted Jul 28, 2026 | 3:44 PM by Grace Memorial Affordable Burial and Cremation
Mary Ann Van Der Kloet (nee Kelsey)
March 29th,1950 – July 19th, 2026
It is with heavy hearts the family of Mary Ann Van Der Kloet (nee Kelsey) announce her passing on July 19th, 2026, at the age of 76. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Richard Van Der Kloet; sons, Derek (Tammy) Van Der Kloet and Trevor Van Der Kloet; and grandchildren, Andrew Van Der Kloet and Matthew (Brianne) Van Der Kloet.
Mary is predeceased by her first husband, Charles Van Der Kloet; her parents, Hilton and Eva Kelsey; her sisters, Lita and Ruby Jane; and her brother, Arthur.
Mary was born on March 29th, 1950, to Hilton and Eva Kelsey in Brockville, Ontario. She grew up on Upper Oakleaf Road and attended Athens Ontario High School to grade 11. Mary spent time with her gramma in Brockville and worked at both Smarts Hardware store and a wholesale store. She met and married Charles Van Der Kloet and they had a son, Derek. Sadly, Charles passed away.
In 1970 Mary met Richard Van Der Kloet. They then moved to Bindloss, Alberta where they started working for the Franklin Rogers Family – Awesome folks!
In 1975 Mary and Richard left Bindloss to try their hands at homesteading in the Peace River country in early spring. They soon found it to be a bit beyond them after having their crops all in water for the year. So, they headed off to Red Deer, where Mary worked at the Ash Deere Home for the disabled and Richard worked at the Advisor paper. Their next adventure brought them to north of Grande Prairie where Richard took a job at a show cattle & grain farm and Mary worked at the Spirit River Bank until Richard got a call from the Rogers family. Mary and Richard moved back to Bindloss and worked with the Rogers family and later their sons.
Some of Mary’s notable careers were: a cook’s helper for a highway crew, the old Empress Hospital, Bindloss School, Empress TD Bank, Empress school secretary and a crushing crews cook while expecting.
Mary’s kind heart shined it’s brightest while she was working at the Oyen Public School. Braving a snow and ice storm she climbed a hill to help a hurt student. Unfortunately, Mary found herself over centred, hurting her knees in the process which later resulted in a double knee replacement.
Ever faithful, Mary found her place in the church wherever she went such as: The Penticostal Church in Empress, The Bindloss United Church, The Oyen Missionary Church. Mary and Richard helped breathe life into the senior centre at a non-denominational church in Alsask, Saskatchewan, and lastly found their place in the former public school with the Jarvis family.
Mary went on a mission trip to India with a group of ladies and best friend, Rosanne Loberg, who Mary considered to be more like a sister.
Mary and Richard enjoyed travelling home to visit family and made about 14 trips in all. Trevor, their beloved son, tagging along on some.
Richard and Mary Retired in Bindloss, Alberta and still have a home there. They spent the last 3 years in Medicine Hat, Alberta living in a senior’s centre.
Mary had been living with Parkison’s disease since 2004 and cancer near the end. She put up a great fight through it all.
Mary passed peacefully in Hospice at Saint Joseph’s on July 19th, 2026, around 4:00pm.
She had a real heart for the Lord and is now with him, free of pain.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be made at www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by GRACE MEMORIAL AFFORDABLE BURIAL & CREMATION 1924 10th Ave NW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 403-905-0440 info@gracememorial.com.
- Date : 2026-07-19
- Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta