ADRIAN JOHN VANDER MEER, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Wilma Vander Meer, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at the age of 81 years.

Adrian was born in the Netherlands in 1945 and immigrated with his family to Canada, settling in the Newcastle, Ontario area. When his father’s health began to fail, Adrian left school at a young age to help tend to the family farm. It was there that his strong work ethic began—a quality that would remain with him throughout his entire life. He later started testing his skills in carpentry, beginning a lifelong love of building, fixing, and creating.

In July of 1967, Adrian married the love of his life, Wilma. Together they built a beautiful life and raised their four children. Their first home was one Adrian built himself—a fitting beginning for a man who would spend so much of his life creating things with his own two hands.

In 1976, Adrian, Wilma, and their children made the move west to Alberta. They settled in Vauxhall, where Adrian worked in construction for many years before changing careers and managing a couple of feedlots throughout southern Alberta. Eventually, Adrian and Wilma purchased a feedlot south of Lethbridge, where they continued to build a life rooted in hard work, family, and faith.

After selling their feedlot, Adrian never really learned how to sit still. Retirement simply gave him more time to lend a hand. He became the family “handyman”, always willing to help with whatever needed doing. He built a couple more homes, worked on shops, tackled countless renovations, and could seemingly fix just about anything. If someone needed help, Adrian was there—usually with the right tool in hand and a story to tell along the way.

As much as Adrian enjoyed working with his hands, the greatest joy in his life was his family. Retirement gave him more time with the people he loved most. He treasured visits with friends, whether gathered around a card table, sharing a coffee, or simply reminiscing about years gone by. Adrian was rarely without a story, and his quick wit and unmistakable sense of humour made those stories even better. Those who knew Adrian will also remember his strong, welcoming handshake—a simple gesture that said so much about the man he was. Whether you were an old friend or someone he had just met, Adrian had a way of making you feel genuinely welcomed. His firm handshake, warm smile, and friendly nature were simply part of who he was.

Above all, Adrian was a man of strong faith. He loved his Savior, Jesus, and carried with him the assurance that when his earthly journey came to an end, he was simply going “home.’ While his family and friends will miss him more than words can express, they find comfort in knowing that Adrian is now home with his Savior.

Adrian will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Wilma; his children, Ron (Kathy) VanderMeer, Sonya (Glen) Wever, Kevin (Tina Brake) VanderMeer, and Steven (Kaley) VanderMeer; his grandchildren, Eric (Kaitlyn) Wever, Kaylee (Josh) DeHaan, Layne (Colin) Barthel, Emerson VanderMeer, Hayden VanderMeer, Ryker Plouffe, and Jordan and Jayda Sanguez; as well as his nine great-grandchildren who brought him endless joy.

A Funeral Service will be held at GRACE REFORMED CHURCH, 1402 – 8 Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Paul Van Stralen officiating. The Funeral Service will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Adrian’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2026-09-22
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta