Obituary of Karen Hulshof

Klasske “Karen” Hulshof, 101, Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow, formerly of Haliburton and Holland, went to be with her Lord on November 12, 2025.

Born in Friesland, Holland, she was a daughter of the late Tjebbe and Margje (Rekker) Tolsma.  Mom immigrated to Nova Scotia with her husband Jacob and their three children. In the spring of 1960, the family sailed on the last ship of its kind, arriving at Pier 21 before settling in Masstown. Not long after, a minister from the Christian Reformed Church paid a visit and noted that their Dutch names might be a challenge for local tongues. And so, with a moment of unexpected practicality and humour, our names—and our lives—were reshaped. From then on, Mom was known as Karen (Klaaske) and dad’s, Jacob, remained unchanged. Their children became Janette (Jantje), Wilfred (Tjebbe), and Margaret (Margje). In 1967, they welcomed their daughter Johanne.

In 1962, Mom and Dad started their own poultry farm on Harris Road in Pictou, working side-by-side every day. Mom’s faith was strong and openly spoken; she didn’t shy away from sharing what she believed, and it was woven into the choices she made and the resilience she carried.

She began her church life in Nova Scotia as part of the Dutch Christian Reformed congregation in Truro, later joining First United Baptist Church in New Glasgow. She hosted Bible studies in her home, brewed Sunday-morning coffee for early arrivals at church, and volunteered at the Odd Fellows Home.

What truly made her happy was being outside. Mom could grow anything. Her lawn was immaculate, her flowerbeds were weedless, and her vegetable garden produced a bounty year after year. Gardening wasn’t a pastime for her, it was joy, purpose, and pride. Even well into her 80s, you’d find her outside tending something, utterly content.

She had a wonderful sense of humour and a mischievous sparkle in her eye, especially when she thought she’d gotten one over on you. She loved getting dressed up, cherished her little home in the country, and adored her grandchildren, who brought her endless happiness.

Mom read her Bible daily; its worn pages were a familiar sight on her kitchen table. She lived her faith, loved deeply, worked hard, and kept her sense of humour to the very end. She was ready to go “home.” Although, saddened at her passing, her family are comforted with the knowledge that for their mom, “life has changed; not ended”.

Surviving are children, Janette (Gerald) Davidson, Pictou; Wilfred (Wilhelmina) Hulshof, Massachusetts, USA; Margaret (Wayne) Cornect, Denver; Johanne (Alain) Bossé, Pictou; grandchildren, Denise, Lesley, Mark, Jonathan, Annette, Sarah, Jeremy, Crispin, Amanda, Benjamin, Jock and Danielle; brothers, Siebe and Douwe, Holland; several great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Jacob; infant daughter, Margje; sister, Baukje; brothers, Minze, Ane, Frank and Louis.

The family will receive visitors 10 – 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, November 18 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Morley Shaw officiating. Private interment will follow in Haliburton Cemetery.

True to mom’s belief that God would provide, she was able to remain in her home until the age of 101. We are grateful to the Pictou County VON, and are especially thankful to “her girls”, Arlene, Isabel, Jane, Dora, Sharlene and Lisa for the care mom received. Special thanks to mom’s friend, Dagmar, for her unwavering friendship.

Donations may be made in Karen’s memory to Camp Pagweak.

“God did not promise us a safe passage, but a safe landing.”

Lovingly submitted by family.

For funeral service livestream, please click HERE