Obituary of Katharina Van Ierland

Katherina Van Ierland

1932 ~ 2025

 

Kathe as she was known, was born January 27, 1932 in Juelich Germany.

She was the daughter of Konrad Hubert Joseph and Elizabeth Mosgen.

She grew up in the relatively small town of Juelich and had a younger brother Karl Ernst.

She met her first husband Johann Offizier, Hans as he was known an electrician by trade, and they married on April 17, 1954.

Kathe and Hans early on had befriended a young family from Holland, Wim and Jo Pennings – Van Ierland who were motorcycle enthusiasts, and the friendship grew to be very strong over time with the whole Van Ierland Family. Through this friendship Kathe got to know Alphonsus Van Ierland, (Known as Fons in Holland and Al in Canada). Their friendship grew as time went on.

In June of 1961, Kathe and Hans had their first and only child, a son, Harald Offizier. It was not long after having their son Harald that tragedy struck the young family as Hans was killed in an Industrial accident.

In the summer of 1970 Al invited his parents, Kathe and her son Harald to Canada for a six-week summer vacation so that they could experience Canada, primarily BC and Alberta.

In the spring of 1971, Kathe Offizier married Alphonsus Van Ierland, a Dutch immigrant to Canada at the age of 18 and long-time family friend. On May 7, 1971 Al took his new family home to Fort St. John BC to begin their new family life together. They made many new friendships and strengthened many existing ones that Al had already established.

They travelled back to their homelands to visit family and friends as they could and some of their friends and family did come and visit them in Canada as well.

In 2018 Kathe moved into the Peace Villa Residential Care as she struggled with Dementia.

Kathe passed away peacefully on February 13, 2025 at the age of 93.

Kathe is survived by:

Son - Harry (Harald) Offizier

Daughter in-law – Shelly McPhee

Grandson – Jayden Offizier

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Kathe to the FSJ Hospital Foundation - Click Here to donate