Hans (Johannes Marinus Joseph) Teunissen was born in Ottawa, Ontario August 24, 1953. He is survived by his loving wife Kim and two daughters he was proud to call his own- Tedra (Jamie) and Mahaila, and his grandson Kingston. Hans is also survived by his mother, Thresia and his three siblings Maion (Bill), Helmut (Vickie) and Lucien as well as a large extended family. Hans was predeceased by his father Johan.
Hans had a wonderfully happy life. He often loved talking about how much fun he had with his cousins growing up. They were a large gang and enjoyed building houseboats and tree-houses together, exploring in the woods and working at the family run lumber yard.
As a very young boy, Hans had a fascination with all things Chinese and harbored a secret desire to be a Missionary in The Far East. This desire was eventually realized in a way that he never imagined as a young boy. In 1974 Hans learned that God had a personal name- Jehovah- and this knowledge changed his life and started off his zealous search for truth.
Hans, being a very spiritual man, set goals for himself. He wanted to become a pioneer, serve as a ministerial servant, and to serve at the Canadian Branch and be a member of the Bethel family. He reached and treasured all these goals. After reaching these goals, he wanted to satisfy his desire to be married and have a family. He met Kim and her girls in the summer of 1992 and married her the following March. He was a wonderful role model for his family and a loving father and best friend. He took great pride in raising two beautiful daughters. In time Hans was also appointed to serve as an Elder. Hans was often asked for advice and help as an Elder. His best advice he often gave was ” Do the loving thing.”
In 2002 Hans and Kim were invited to move to Victoria, learn Chinese and help the fledging Chinese congregation there. This was a huge privilege of service that Hans loved. Six years later Hans realized a goal that he had never hoped to attain. He and Kim were invited to serve as Special Pioneers in Trinidad and Tobago, serving the huge Chinese population there. This was a wonderful three years of life. It was while living in Trinidad that Hans was first diagnosed with cancer. He survived three surgeries for colon cancer within the span of four months. After his last surgery Hans said “Wow, I’m still alive. I want to serve in Asia and teach the people there about Jehovah .” After receiving an assignment for Asia, Hans and Kim went off to fulfill Hans’ last goal. Hans absolutely loved living in the Far East. He relished the life there, and loved riding his motorcycle to visit his students.
While living in Asia, Hans was diagnosed again with cancer. This time it was terminal. What made cancer so painful for Hans was that it hit when he was living the Life of his dreams. He said he was living the best life ever. No regrets.
Hans – wonderful teacher, sterling role model. Yes, he will be missed. Can’t wait to see him again and say “well done”. We will have so much to tell him then.
Funeral and tea to be held at:
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2780 Shelbourne Street
January 17th at 2:30
Teunissenfamily@gmail.com
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
14 Responses
Hans was a good man and can easily be counted among the faithful mentioned in Hebrews 11 where it said: ‘the world was not worthy of them’.
It is because of people such as Hans, that John 3: 16 is true and we can distinguish between the two different meanings of the word ‘world’.
We came to know Hans when he was with the Kanata ON Congregation. It was when working in the service with him that we had a Chinese call when suddenly I realize that Hans was speaking to them in Chinese. This was as much a surprise to me as it was to them.
It gave me a measure of Hans. Quiet, devoted to Jehovah, having a goal and going about it in a no-nonsense manner. Greatly appreciated as a servant of Jehovah.
Don & Joan Walters.
Wish we could be there for you all during this difficult time! Please know we send all our love and hugs to you and wish you comfort in your time of grief! Hans was an amazing person and I have many fond memories of him! Thinking of you all!
Love Erika, Steve, Marieka and Amelia
May strength be with Kim, Tedra, Mahaila, Tante Thresia, Maion, Helmut, Lucien and all their loved ones at this time with the passing of Hans.
I have fond memories as a cousin of Hans when we were young kids living in Aylmer Quebec. There was about 8-10 of us who were known as the Dutchie gang. We spent many hours at my uncle Gerri’s lumber yard. . WE spent many hours cycling, cross country skiing and walking on our ventures to the Gatineau hills.
1 Corinthians 15:52-57 “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peace be with you,
Your cousin ALFRED TEN OEVER