Obituary of Jan "John" Fieten
Jan “John” Fieten of Teeswater, passed away with his daughters by his side, at London Health Sciences Centre – Victoria Campus, on Monday, April 20th, 2026, at the age of 86.
Beloved husband of the late Gysberta "Betty" Fieten (née Van Arkel).
Devoted and proud father of Karen Coutts (Dan) and Cindy Zondervan (Tony)
Cherished Opa to grandchildren, Chey Coutts (Zach), Will Coutts (Alessandra), DJ Coutts, Abby Zondervan (Manny), Chris Zondervan, Kaitlyn Zondervan and great-granddaughters, Alanna Coutts and Elli Fish.
Missed by his siblings, Hank and Elizabeth Fieten of Lindsay, John and Hennie Fieten, Hillie Tuhuteru, Wilma and Hans van den Bergh all of Holland, along with in-laws Jan & Gerald Pebesma of Brampton, Ria and John Wilson of Manitoba, Herb Van Arkel of Caledon, and Aveline and Dave Bailey of Brantford.
Fondly remembered by several nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.
Predeceased by his parents, Willem and Hendrikje (née Monen) Fieten, in-laws, Huibert and Riek Van Arkel, siblings Annie, Wim and Henny, brothers in law, Frank Tuhuteru and Jack Waters and sister-in-law, Joyce Van Arkel.
On September 24, 1939, Willem and Hendrikje Fieten of Zuidwolde, Holland, welcomed their third child, Jan — named after Willem’s father. Just months later, the Nazi invasion began. Though Dad had few memories of those years, he remembered his father’s long absence after being taken to work in a factory in Poland.
School was a challenge. Not because of the academics, but being only one year younger than his rambunctious brother Hank meant that the teachers had fresh battle scars that hadn't healed yet. When he was told he couldn’t study carpentry, he walked out after three weeks of high school — but he never stopped learning. He taught everyone around him that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right… or, if it was worth building, it was worth over building.
In the late 1940s, Dad joined his father and uncle collecting farm milk by boat along the canals. By then, he had four younger siblings, and every penny mattered. Post war Holland was difficult, and in 1956 the family joined thousands emigrating to Canada. When his mother grew homesick, most returned to Holland — except Hank and Dad, who stayed behind to work for the TTC and repay the travel loan. Hank remained in Canada, but Dad returned home in 1958, remembering fondly pushing his newborn sister Wilma in her carriage.
Soon after, Dad served his mandatory military term, spending a year in Dutch New Guinea. “I was young and single,” he said. “If the army wanted to pay for me to travel the world, I was happy to let them.” Afterward, he joined Standard Electric in quality control — a perfect fit for a man who noticed every detail. When he found flaws in his sister Hillie’s work, dinner at home that night was… memorable.
In 1964, Dad returned to Canada, working on a farm for Joan and Henry Noodle. That summer, the Noodles and their friends introduced him to a young cashier. Their blind date at the Flamborough Raceway led to a second the very next day — and six weeks later, a proposal. Whenever Mom told this story, she always mentioned that she didn’t know what took him so long — she’d been waiting three weeks for him to pop the question! They married in April 1966, beginning a partnership that lasted nearly sixty years.
Dad worked for Canada Post and later transferred to Milton, where he and Mom served as building superintendents. Their days off were spent exploring back roads, guided by their favorite saying: “We’re not out of gas and we’re not out of road, so we can’t be lost!”
In 1970, they bought a 70-acre farm near Teeswater and moved in the day after their fifth anniversary. By then, Mom was expecting their first child. Dad farmed, logged, and in 1973 began working for the Teeswater Creamery, returning to milk pickup — this time by truck. He stayed there full time until retiring in 2004, and continued helping out for another twenty years.
Karen was born in 1971 and Cindy in 1974 — “the mailman’s daughter” and “the milkman’s daughter.” Dad loved children. Before having his own, he and Mom were camp counselors and foster parents. Later, he coached soccer, led 4 H, and volunteered at the school breakfast club long after his daughters were grown. Farm kids on his milk route saw him daily and often invited him to their weddings.
Dad believed deeply in community. He served with the Lions Club, the fair board, and the United Church, as well as lending a hand to Mom’s many commitments. Family was everything to him. He often dropped by Karen’s or Cindy’s homes just “because it was a nice afternoon for a drive.” He cherished time with his sons-in-law, Tony and Dan, whether working on projects or talking about farming. His grandchildren were the lights of his life, and he was delighted when their friends also called him “Opa.” Nothing brought him more joy than his great-granddaughters.
Cancer tested his strength, but his determination and Dutch stubbornness carried him through to the very end. After nearly twelve years without Mom, Dad passed peacefully just three days before what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. We’re sure she was waiting — happy to see him again, but once again wondering what took him so long.
Visitation will be held at the Tiffin Funeral Home, Teeswater on Sunday, April 26th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Private graveside service will be held at Culross-Teeswater Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Salem United Church or the Teeswater Medical Centre would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
