Lolke had been married almost thirty-eight years to Agnes when she succumbed to cancer and passed away and almost a year after her untimely death, he found a hand-written journal of Agnes. Following are some entries of what she wrote over the years.

feb. 10, 1951
father is dus een kappers zaak begonnen in Calgary. (so dad started a barbershop)

aug. 22, 1955
Saw this new boy in church. An immigrant from Holland, I think, sort of cute but not looked after

dec. 1, 1955
the immigrant boy was at young peoples, he has one of these funny Frisian names – Lolke. Sloppy!!

dec. 8, 1955
he was at young peoples again

new year's day 1956
Lolke has a child in Holland!! Heard it in the barber shop. He just left this little girl. And her mother. Afschuwelijk!!! They should keelhaul him.

jan. 28, 1956
Lolke asked me out!!! After next young peoples. He will take me home in his never cleaned old jalopy. I will tell him off, the beast. He does not know where I live, I think, ha ha.
Dad and mom are out coffee visiting. More later.

Feb. 5, 1956
Something came over me, am I going crazy? I fell in love, no I didn't, yes I did! The poor guy didn't know that this girl in Holland had a child. But, their must've been something he knew they did, ha ha.
He is still a beast but maybe a kindly beast, well, I will not put everything in this journal, but I did change my mind about him. Overnight.
Actually not even overnight, the same evening that he, ha ha took me home.
I really have made up my mind, I M MARRYING him. Crazy, but I'm DOING IT.
(only he doesn't know it yet)

April 13, 1961
Lolke wants our 3rd son named Jonathan, practically the same as his daughter's name Johanna in Holland. Why I wonder?

April 24, 1962
he says it has nothing to do with the girl he made pregnant ten years ago. I still wonder though. I don't like this place anymore, too far from the family. And the church too.

Aug 21,1968
So, I had a this little preventive medical operation. I am just 30, and have seven boys, that is enough! Never mind what the minister says. Wouldn't mind having a little girl though, but Lolke doesn't know how to make them, ha ha.

Sep 18, 1988
Had a check up at a specialist in Calgary, something wrong in me, hope its nothing.

Oct 2nd 1988
o, my God.
They found something inside of me, it does not look good. Pray for me, please, please. Lolke, do something!
Please God help me, help me please.

Nov. 30, 1988 Calgary Herald

Peacefully passed away at home
with her loved ones by her side,
after a short struggle with cancer,
fully assured of going to her God and Savior
our beloved wife, mother and daughter

Agnes Harkema - de Jong
55 years old