Ian Arie de Zeeuw, aged 69, went to be with the Lord on April 7, 2025, at the Deloraine
Hospital. Ian is survived by his wife, Diana (Fletcher), brother Lloyd and his wife (Anne), and
sister Margaret and her husband (Paul), as well as six nephews (Timothy, Adrianus, Nathan,
Johnathan, Stephen, and Graysen) and one niece (Julia). Ian is predeceased by his younger
brother, Albert, and his parents, Jan and Elva de Zeeuw. Ian was born in Brockville, Ontario. He
was educated in Leeds County, Ontario. Ian studied to be a professional photographer at St.
Lawrence College but decided to stay amateur. He also took other courses on livestock
medicines, plants, and more over the years. Ian was active in a number of churches across
Canada and taught religious education. He grew up on the family dairy farm north of Escott,
took part in the Lansdowne Fair, and was in the 4-H calf club. He later moved to Highway 2 in
Escott, where he held numerous jobs. Ian moved to northern Alberta, where he worked as a
plumber’s helper, before returning home after learning of the illness of his brother Albert. He
then moved to Bloomfield, Ontario, where he worked on a fruit and vegetable farm for eight
years. He also worked for Canada Post delivering rural mail and evenings at Beckers Milk in
Bloomfield, working up to assistant manager. Over the years, he was part owner of stores in
Brockville and Athens, where he met his future wife, Diana. Years later, he worked at the 401
Service Centre Westbound, pumping gas and eventually becoming a shift supervisor. In 2001,
Ian and Diana built a house and barn on 200-plus acres and started Noah’s Farm north of Lyn,
eventually having 500-plus animals and birds and a large greenhouse as well as operating a
bed-and-breakfast and doing farm tours. In 2011, the farm was sold, and they moved to Nova
Scotia, where he was part owner with his wife of a convenience store and takeout in Hillsburn
for two years. After they sold this store, they started a new convenience store in their new
home in Smiths Cove, then moved to Deep Brook, where they opened a small pet shop. After
moving back to Smiths Cove, they started a small business selling bumper stickers, Ian’s
homemade candles, calendars, postcards, etc. In 2022, Ian and Diana sold their home in Smiths
Cove and moved to Waskada, Manitoba, taking their business with them. Over the years, Ian
wrote many letters, etc., becoming known as a critic—some of his comments were not liked by
others! He also wrote a book on Noah’s Farm. Ian’s photos often captured the moment, as he
took many thousands of photos over the years. A small, private burial will take place at the
Waskada Cemetery in the coming days. (Most of this obituary was written by Ian in 2024.)
(Diana would like to extend her thanks and appreciation to the Home Care and Palliative Care
team who provided wonderful care to Ian during the last few weeks of his life, Dr McKinnon
and the staff at Deloraine Hospital for their compassionate services during his hospital stays,
and to the neighbours who gave him a lift up [literally] when he needed one.)