Annie Van Gaal

Besides her loving husband Grad, she is survived by her three children: son Jim Van Gaal (Laura Southern) and his sons Scott and Todd (and their mother Nada); daughter Leona (Don) Nishikawa and their children Riley (Cassidy Cox, Alyvia and Laelah) and Erin; and daughter Lisa (Monte) Lind and their children Tyler (Jamee) and Jodi. She was predeceased by her two sons, Jimmie and Gerry.

Annie is also survived by her one cherished sister Tinie (Dick) Schut in Holland, and predeceased by seven brothers and three sisters.

Annie was born in Stoutenburg, The Netherlands. She immigrated to Canada in 1958 and here she met the love of her life, Grad.  They met on New Year's Eve and were married the following year on August 15, 1959.  She was a stay-at-home mom and loved raising her family here in Lethbridge. 

She traveled to many places all over the world. She loved to knit, sew, needlepoint and read.  But her most favorite things to do were to get together with family and friends to socialize whether it was playing cards, or going to Tim Hortons for coffee.  

Besides being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Annie had a personality as big as life. She was funny and witty, and never at a loss for giving great advice. She was always there for everyone who needed her for anything.  She was beautiful, proud, independent, determined, thoughtful, humorous and most of all a caring lady. She always offered her support and superior visiting skills to everyone.

It was so important for Annie to communicate to all of her family and friends she made along the way, that they were treasured by her dearly.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Annie’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.