Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
John Van Nistelrooy
1956 – 2025
John was born in Lethbridge on January 9th, 1956, the second of seven children to Gerry and Annie Van Nistelrooy. He was raised on the farm in Iron Springs, where he made many memories growing up and working alongside his family.
John was born in Lethbridge on January 9th, 1956, the second of seven children to Gerry and Annie Van Nistelrooy. He was raised on the farm in Iron Springs, where he made many memories growing up and working alongside his family.
He met and married his high school sweetheart Bonnie Bailey in Picture Butte, where a vision of the life they would build together first took shape. The goal of having a farm came to fruition when land was purchased in Enchant AB in 1977. Over the next 40 years, he raised his family while continuing to build and diversify the business, with the addition of a cattle operation, and enjoyed success watching it grow. It brought him pleasure spending time with family, building a life and legacy, and making many lifelong friends and memories that were with him until his passing. His unique perspective served him and those around him well, as he volunteered and served on many boards until his retirement to Lethbridge in 2017.
Over the years, he always loved playing cards with family and friends, sought out new challenges, found adventure in travel, and enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren, biking, going to the park, and attending their numerous dance and sporting events. He took great pride in his home and yard, and in always being there when anyone was in need of advice, a helping hand, conversation, a well-timed pick-me-up, or just a coffee together. He could always be counted on.
He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; two children Jeff (Lynn) and Jodie (Moira); his three adoring grandchildren Beau, Shea, and Taryn; father Gerard Van Nistelrooy; siblings Frank (Helen), Henry (Wendy), Albert, MaryAnne (Soren) Christensen, Martin (Jackie), and Kenny (Karen); as well as brothers and sister-in-law Allan (Shirley) Bailey, Gary (Nita) Bailey and Michelle (Doug) Edwards along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is also survived by a close group of his cherished lifelong friends.
He was predeceased by his mother Annie, mother and father-in-law Yvonne and Leroy Bailey, sister-in-law Sheri, niece Adrienne, and close friend Vivian Ragan.
We welcome you to honour the Life of John with us. A Prayer Vigil will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH – 1011 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Jim Manzara officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. A Reception and Celebration of John’s Life will follow.
Both the Prayer Vigil and Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through John’s obituary on the Cornerstone website at their respective times.
A private family Graveside Service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, where John will be laid to rest.
Special thanks to Brenda and the staff at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit for their dedication and compassion, which we deeply appreciated.
To the family and friends who have, and continue to come together in the journey of John’s illness and loss alongside us, we have valued your support, visits, kind words and gifts. There are not words to express how much it has meant to both John and ourselves.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you follow in John’s example, and give of yourself in time, caring and gifts to those around you.
The void left in Johns passing can never be filled, and he will be deeply missed now and always by friends, family, and all who knew him.
If you have any photos of John, please email them to care@cornerstonefh.ca and they will be shared with the family.
Guestbook (35)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of John.
Dear Van Nistlerooy and extended families we are sorry to hear of the loss of John and wanted to send our condolences to you all. May you all find peace and comfort through this difficult time and be surrounded always by good friends family loved ones and great memories may John rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to the entire VanNistelrooy family. Always as close as a wonderful memory.
My sincere condolences Bonnie to you and your family. Sending hugs and prayers.
We got John into a boat. Strapped him in. We knew it was his bucket list. Thanks John!
Bonnie & Families — sending hugs & sympathy for your loss!
To Bonnie & Families and Van Nistelrooy Families.. May God Hold and Comfort You Now Thru This Sad Time and in the Difficult Days Ahead. Sending Love and Prayers.. Rest in Paradise John.. A Beautiful Soul .. You Will Be Missed.. Sincerely, Shirley Bulva
Sincere Condolences to the entire Vannistalrooy Family
We are sending our heartfelt deepest sympathy to Bonnie, Jeff, Jodie, Ome Gerard, and the entire VanNistelrooy cousins and families. You will be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers as you hold a memorial for our cousin, John. Please know how sorry we are and will thinking of you all. Aunt Wilma, John, Francis, Sandra, and Joe Vanderstappen
Sending lots of love at this time.
Dear Bonnie, Jeff, Jodie & family Our deepest sympathy to you, deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. He was a wonderful neighbour for many years and a great part of the Enchant community, he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts will be with you during this difficult time. Harvey, Sandy and Lori Severtson
Bonnie and Family - sincere condolences on the the passing of John. May you hold all memories close to your heart. Barry and Marie Pakarno
To Bonnie & Family, Van Nistelrooy & Bailey families. Sending deepest sympathies to all for your loss. John’s passing leaves a huge void in the lives of many, but he also leaves them with so many great memories.
Bonney and Family; We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss visiting with John at our children's hockey games. We have always enjoyed John's company.
With love, thoughts and prayers
Bonnie and the entire Van Nistelrooy family, I’m so sorry for your loss, John will be missed. My condolences.
Dear Bonnie and family. I am so sad to hear of John’s passing. I thought back to our high school reunion and I am so happy to have had that time to visit with you and John and everyone there. To me that event was such a love fest. I know words cannot heal the wounds of losing someone you love. But know that I am praying for you and your family and sending love from Irene (Caruso) and John Doucette
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John. My heartfelt condolences for Bonny, Jeff, Jodie and family during this difficult time. I had the privilege of working under John’s leadership, and I will always remember him as a person of great integrity, vision, and kindness. He brought out the best in those around him, not only by setting a high standard for excellence, but also by leading with humility and respect. John’s guidance had a lasting impact on my career and my life, and I am truly grateful for the time I spent working with him. John was a person of warmth and generosity. He took genuine interest in the people around him and treated everyone with dignity. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope you find comfort in the love and memories you shared with him, and in knowing how many lives he touched. With deepest sympathy, Henry Guenther
John was a wonderful neighbour to us (often mowing the lawn at Fork in the Road next door). He always stopped to talk and was so generous with his time and expertise. He often dropped off goodies (like asparagus and treats for our kids) and even mowed our lawn for us when we first moved in and were juggling getting settled. His friendly face will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with the Van Nistelrooy family.
Dear Bonnie and family, we are praying for strength to navigate through this difficult time. Our thoughts and condolences to friends and families.
To Bonnie and family Our heartfelt sympathies to you at this time. Hoping all the wonderful memories will help you through this very sad time. Janet & Gerry Mireault
My heart aches for all of you during this difficult time!! There are no words to express our deepest sympathies to you!! John was a wonderful man, and he touched so many lives. May God be with you!!
Sending my deepest sympathies to John’s family. John was a great guy. He will certainly be missed.
Condolences to the all the Van Nistelrooy family. Through our farming years we had the pleasure of doing business with John. John was first class and enjoyed the times we had to talk farming. Will be sadly missed.
Sending you my condolences and prayers.
Dear Bonnie, Jeffrey and Jody, today i heard the sad news that John passed away. I am very often thinking about the time at your farm, There is a special place in my heart for the Van Nistelrooys. Wish you all the strenght with this great loss
I would like to add some writing in the Geustbook in the name of my late brother Izaak. In the late eighties, my brother worked for John as a young passionate farmhelp on his arable farm with the intention to become a farmer. Later, John was a mentor to Izaak as he started farming on his own and many years to follow. Through all the years John provided opportunities and support to Izaak which has always enhanced his well being and motivation from a great friend, John van Nistelrooy. Also, great thanks for John for his support and help after Izaak’s passing. My sympathy for Bonnie, children, grandchildren and family
So very to hear of John's passing. Always enjoyed chatting with a very knowledgeable man. He will be missed. Dan Dorchak
Gecondoleerd allen. Ik heb gewerkt bij richard sanders en in die tijd veel met izak bij jullie geweest en gewerkt. Had heel veel waardering voor John hoe hij alles voor mekaar had. Sterkte gewenst vanuit Nederland.
I Will remember John as a person whoms vision was a brothen horizon and would always look for the way of “possibilities“. We will rember him as a kind and polite person.
Dear Bonnie and children/grandchildren. How sad this is to miss John. I wish you strenght. Your family was the first family my brother Joute worked for in 1985. I was there for 2 months in ‘86 and remember your family as very warm and helpfull. You were very important for my brother and John became a dear friend and mentor for life for Joute❤️Thanks for that and wish you all the best. Reino
My sincere and most heartfelt sympathies to Bonnie and families! John was such a kind and compassionate man. He will be missed. RIP John.
Bonnie and family, I'm sorry to hear about John, your loss will surely be felt.
So very sorry Bonnie and family to hear of John’s passing. Thinking of you all during this difficult and sad time in your lives. Rick and Diana Paskal
My condolences to you all.
Condolences to the family. Knew John from high school basketball and at the college. Enjoyed a visit a few years ago at Costco to catch up on our families