September 14, 1937 – July 4, 2023
John Wichers, 85, of Winnipeg, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on July 4, 2023 after a brief illness.
John was born in the Netherlands on September 14, 1937 to Hillebrand Jacop Wichers and Margareta Wichers (nee, Klumper). He grew up in the town of Zutphen with his 12 siblings.
In May 1940, before John’s third birthday, the Dutch army surrendered to the Germans and the Netherlands came under Nazi occupation. This brought hardship and hunger to the country, however John often told war-era stories with a humor that made you forget the horrors behind them.
There was the story of a day following the birth of his brother Bill. John’s mother stood at the kitchen table putting sprinkles on slices of bread—a celebration treat–and the kids stood around with mouths watering for a sugary snack.
Suddenly a dogfight erupted overhead. Bullets from the airplanes strafed the roof tiles and shattered windows. The family took cover, but John remembers reaching slowly for a sprinkle that had fallen on the floor.
When the fight was over, Mrs. Wichers realized that baby Bill was still in his crib. She ran to his room and found it covered with shattered glass, but Bill, who’d been sleeping under a lace netting, was fine.
‘Poor Bill. He was never the same after that,” John would joke.
Canadian soldiers played a key role in liberating Holland in 1945, so at 19, when John was looking for opportunity and adventure, he chose Canada.
John began a life with Nell, the mother of his children Linda, Robert and Colleen. He worked for many years in construction–including working on the Winnipeg International Airport in the early ‘60s–and as a welder and machinist. He retired at age 68 after working for 16 years at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. John used his talents in welding and fabrication to build adapted bikes for children with special needs.
While John played soccer as a boy, and became an accomplished competitive shooter as a young man, it was only at age 47 that he found the sport that would become his true passion.
“I just happened to come upon the Manitoba Marathon, which I didn’t know anything about, on Father’s Day,” John told CBC in 2017. “I thought it was really interesting to see these people struggle the last three miles… I thought, ‘Man, that’s got to be pretty challenging.”
His family recalls that John first trained for races by running from hydro pole to hydro pole.
He’d go on to run 25 full marathons, 86 half marathons, and countless other races. He also worked as a race organizer and facilitator with the Manitoba Runners’ Association.
He was inducted into the Manitoba Running Association’s hall of fame in 2008.
One of his last full marathons, run at age 70, took place in Minneapolis on a boiling hot day. John recalled that Chicago had canceled its marathon.
Aid stations were running out of water, and people were lying down beside the road in exhaustion but–with the stubbornness he was known for–John kept going, finishing the race in about six hours.
It was with that same tenacity that, at age 78, John flew to Vancouver and began to cycle back to Winnipeg–alone at first, and later aided by his wife, Barb. He used the trip to raise money for the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, his old employer, so more kids could get modified bicycles.
John loved kids. After he became a Grandpa in 1986, he became a fixture in his Grandkids’ lives–whether it was attending their Christmas programs, picking up grandkids Kristoff and Justice from school, or getting roped into building a go-kart for grandson Derek. John would encourage them, and most importantly, show up.
Granddaughter Geralyn remembers how, when she announced she was going to run the Manitoba Marathon, John decided he would patrol the course to keep an eye on her.
While Geralyn may have initially been a tad chagrined by the oversight, she recalls the relief she felt when–around mile 8–she heard a familiar voice say “are you trying to win this thing?” and Grandpa John came cycling alongside her with a cooler bag of ice water strapped behind him.
John would live to see four great-grandchildren born, and to the end was delighted to visit them, or receive pictures and videos.
In spring 2023, when John was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he faced the end with thankfulness for his family and the life he had lived.
Left to cherish his memory are wife Barbara Bandlow, children Linda (Shane), Rob (Joanell), Colleen, Chris Bandlow (Michelle) and their families; brother Bill, sisters Willie and Carol, Nell Wichers, mother of Linda, Rob and Colleen; and numerous other family and friends.
His family wish to thank the wonderful staff of Riverview Health Center for the respect and care shown in John’s last days.
A celebration of life is to be held on July 22, 2023.
25 thoughts on “John Wichers”
brother and uncle from john we sadly mis you and wil alway;s remember you R.I.P.
wat a wunderfull remeberence of mi loved brother my hi R.I.P. thankfull for the frendship with linda colleen -nell and barb.we keep in tutche we love you all for beeing there til the last moments of his live.
John was a very kind and compassionate man, I remember how he drove Norman to chemo treatment and brought him home again, all with great humor. I will never forget this great kindness. Rest in peace dear friend. Dreena..
My condolences to Barb and all of your family. John was such a loving, caring man, always ready to lend a hand. He had such a big personality and that warm inviting smile that always made you feel special and that he was truly glad to see you. ( even if you just met him.) John filled the room with his presence, his sense of humor and his stories….oh those stories! He will truly be missed but what wonderful memories you will always have of him!
You were one of a kind John!
My condolences to Rob and Janell and family as well all the rest of your families
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, He was a classy guy, a real gentleman.
John was such an inspiration to his grandchildren . We would talk often outside the doors of OLVS when
he waited for his precious grandchildren. He would comment on all their achievements and cute ways. He also talked often about his love for running and his eagerness to raise money for more bikes. He was friendly and someone that you would like in an instant. May he rest in peace . My sincere sympathies to the family.
Suzanne Brennan and Drea Thiessen
Our deepest condolences to Barb and all the families of John. We met John and Barb through friends we met in Puerto Vallarta. A year later the six of us we having the time of our lives in PV. From there the friendship grew and we are blessed to have had 2 wonderful visits with Barb and John before he left us to a better place. John you were a breath of fresh air never showing your age with the enthusiasm for life that you had. We are blessed to have met you and Barb. Listen for the rooster in the morning, that will be me. Rest in peace.
I will miss seeing John at all the MRA running events. He was always such a kind and thoughtful man and always greeted me with a hug and smile. I have many found memories of him on the board of the MRA and of chatting with him at various races. He was such a great guy and will be missed.
John was an amazing man! His heart was so big!!!
The world is a little dimmer without his positive outlook, and given talents of helping children living with disabilities. John will be missed by so many, I will miss his yearly ‘Birthday’ wishes.
With our deepest condolences to Barb and the family, thanking for sharing John with all of us.
Christine Schollenberg (retired Executive Director of CRF)
Rest in peace dear oom John. Yoi woll förverkliga be in our hearts.
Love Sarah and Mille
Still unbelievable and know that you will be missed by us here in the Netherlands. We are grateful to have known you and we will keep you in our thoughts and in good remembrance. For us, your not “gone”…you just “gone forward”, and there where you are now…we will meet again. R.I.P
We were saddened to hear of the loss of John. We knew John through running, marathons, and the group run from Northern Manitoba back to Winnipeg. John was the most positive man we have ever met. Robert (Bob) Stewart, has been living with dementia and residing at Poseidon Care Centre. John was a great running partner and team member, while I (Judy Stewart), cheered them on. We will always remember John, his clear voice, and his positive, cheery attitude. We will be thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Judy Stewart
Mine dear brother John he wil be so missed bij everyone loved live and his grandkids to soon for him to be gone love you John RIP
I met John through the MRA Board of Directors years ago yet every instance of seeing him thereafter gave the sense that we’d known him far longer. He held and shared such an innate kindness and enthusiasm. He was always one to engage and encourage, yet has his own remarkable accomplishments. He is one of the reasons I believe in good people. He had a good long run.
My condolences Barb. May his memory be a blessing.
I was saddened to hear of John’s passing. May you find strength in knowing others care and share in your loss.
Wow I stil can’t believe it I miss his calls by weekly sweet brother we wil meet again love and miss you Carol your sis and fam
I knew John for many years as a runner and member of the MRA. He was always supportive to all and had a positive attitude on setting and achieving goals.. He will be missed in the running community.
RIP dear friend. You were a very special man, always looking out for others and willing to help whenever needed. You valued people and always showed them that they mattered. I so enjoyed working with you at the Manitoba Runners’ Association. You were such a loyal board member and always the first to volunteer your time and energy to help out at the races or wherever help was needed. You were loved by so many and we will all miss you so much! ❤️
John was such an inspiration to us all. I loved all his stories especially of his early life. I shall miss the cups of tea shared with him and Barb but thank you Barb for sharing him with us. You were such a support to him. He will be so missed.
He was a good friend to everyone in the running culture… always full of life, helpful and compassionate. You had a good run and may you Rest In Peace! Sending my heart felt condolences to Barb and all his family.
John was a inspiration to many people in the running community. Always available for assisting in many tasks presented to him. Many times as I ran in road races there would be John riding his bicycle encouraging and cheering everyone on. Or he would be on boulevard clapping away and always a smile.
I enjoyed hearing his story about cycling from Vancouver to Winnipeg raising funds for his charity work. He was so thankful for Barbara joining him at a point of his journey on the HWY.
My sincere condolences to the families and friends who John has impacted.
RIP John
I met John half way through his journey for Ten Bikes. What an awesome man and his wonderful wife. He stayed at the Royal Hotel and I got to know him through the story I wrote about him for Chilliwack news. I know what work it is to ride long distances as I did that in my youth too. I’m so sad to hear of his passing. I see his photos in my files and tried to email him but couldn’t find his email anywhere. He will be missed very much. It’s so sad to see that he has passed. I’ll never meet another man like him. He had that golden smile from the heart. Even though I only knew him for such a brief period he had an impact on me that will last a lifetime. It bothered me more than it did him that he didn’t get the reception I thought he would here in Chilliwack. I was so disappointed in this city because we don’t get true heroes here, very few. He’ll always be my hero. My sincerest condolences to his super sweet wife, Nancy, and family. If anyone wants more photos, I have a cuple and theaudio from our interview. (Photo in front of The Royal Hotel in Chilliwack, BC)
dear sir when john came to holland he talket to me about you with great respekt and joy.i lake to thank you for the time you have given him with he tresured thanks again with regarts from bill wichers brother of john. the netherlands .