"Len" Leendert Cornelis Los

It is with both hope and sadness that we say “see you soon” to our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.  He passed on from this earth into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus, on December 30, 2025, in the Edson Hospital.  He was preceded by his great-granddaughter Rose Kielstra, his parents and all his siblings.

Besides his loving wife, Rita (Riet), he is also survived by his children, children-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Marya (Jerry) Kielstra; Hessel (Lauren) Kielstra; Emersyn, Hunter, Ava; Tamara (Lukas) McKenzie; Anika; Jesse Kielstra (Amber); Ben (Katie) Kielstra; Malachi, Bo, Troy, Jamie, Arthur; Esther Kielstra; Gerald (Cheryl) Los; Melissa (Mike) VanMeetelen; Owen, Erica, Skylar, Neil; Barry (Shantel) Los; Emalene, Kaysen; Julia (Wyatt) Mitchell; Jake (Betty) Los; Jordan Leigh (Sheng); Hannah (Aaron) Hamstra; Michala Los; Jenisa Los; Ria (Joe) Beckmann; Sarah (Griffin) Mole; Justin Beckmann; Alexandra Beckmann (Quinn); Levi Beckmann.

Len Los was born on April 27, 1939, to Gerrit and Johanna Los in the city of The Hague, South Holland, the Netherlands. He was the youngest of eight children. Shortly after his birth World War II broke out, ushering in years of hardship and poverty that left a lasting mark on his life.

Determined not to live a life defined by poverty, Len set out with optimism, determination, and a keen sense of humor. As a young man, he began selling eggs door to door, eventually growing this humble start into a well-established business. At the age of 24, he married his beloved sweetheart, Rita (Riet). At the time, he had only a few guilders to his name, as he continued—both by duty and by choice—to help support his parents.

Leaving behind a homeland he saw as being in spiritual decline, Len committed his life, abilities, and resources to God. He viewed Canada as a “promised land,” rich not only in physical opportunity but also in spiritual blessing—for himself and for his entire family. On October 31, 1979, the family arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, and soon settled on a dairy farm purchased from Grace and Albert Reinsma, the grandparents of Cheryl Los. Many stories could be told of Len’s early years in Canada, but above all else, he would testify that God the Father and Jesus Christ, his Lord, faithfully blessed him and his family, both materially and spiritually.

After passing the farm on to his eldest son, Gerald, Len continued to work alongside him, feeding cows and helping wherever he could. Even after officially retiring, he found it difficult to step away from the work he loved. Slowed by diabetes and later dementia, he eventually retired fully around the age of 80—though true to form, he tried to come out of retirement the following year.

In December 2024, his dementia worsened, and while much of the familiar “old Len” was still evident, changes became more apparent. Another significant decline in November 2025 led to hospitalization, and dementia ultimately took his life. He passed away without suffering or significant pain, and, remarkably, never lost the sense of humor that had been so deeply woven into who he was.

“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of "Len" Leendert Cornelis Los, please visit our floral store.