Cornelis "Neil" Heneweer

Cornelis “Neil” “Cees” “Opa” Heneweer was born to Maartje Rus and Cornelis Heneweer in Broek op Langedijk, Netherlands, on February 7, 1928, the youngest of four children. He was born and raised in Broek op Langedijk, where he excelled in mathematics.

After completing his schooling, he worked in the agricultural fields and at the Broeker Veiling, the local vegetable auction. He then served honorably in the Dutch Army from ages 20 to 22. Following his military service, he attended nursing school in Bloemendaal, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Riet “Mary” Wolfert. They were both nursing students.

After two years of dating, they immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Cees arrived in Canada in August 1952, followed by Riet in October. They stayed on the Visser family farm, where Cees and Riet were married on October 23, 1952—just three days after Riet’s arrival in the Great White North. While in Canada, Cees became Neil and Riet became Mary as they embraced their new language, English.

Neil continued his nursing career at Oliver Provincial Institute. They purchased their first home and welcomed their first two children while living in Canada.

In search of better weather, they immigrated to sunny California in the autumn of 1963. This is where they would spend the best years of their lives.

The United States did not recognize his nursing credentials from Canada, so Neil enrolled at the College of San Mateo, where he earned a degree in horticulture. He continued to build on his expertise in agriculture, working at Stanford and SLAC before landing his dream job at Sunset magazine. There, he created beautiful gardens for the public to tour. He always spoke fondly of his time with Sunset and was especially proud of his lifelong subscription to the magazine, which he shared with his children.

In 1968, their family was finally complete with the surprise arrival of their youngest daughter. They lived in Sunnyvale, California, until Neil retired in 1991. Upon retirement, they moved to a more rural life in Grass Valley, California, where they lived for 22 years and Neil tended to his own orchard.

The 1990s were very memorable years for Neil. Not only was he enjoying retirement and traveling, but he also earned the title of Opa to five amazing grandchildren. In later years, he welcomed four great-grandchildren.

He loved sharing stories of his homeland, travels, gardening tips, camping trips, and lake days with his grandchildren.

Above all, Neil was a godly man who always played an active role in his church community. His favorite way to worship was through song, and many knew Neil as the high tenor who often sang solos in the choir. He loved music and was also proud to play his harmonica any chance he could.

In his later years, Neil and Mary moved to Folsom, California, where Neil passed peacefully at the age of 98. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Trudi (Bob), Gordon (Cara), and Arja (John); his grandchildren, Spencer (Brina), Arjana (Jonny), Jessica (Trevor), Annalisa (Matthew), and Trevor; and his great-grandchildren, Logan, Austin, Quinn, and Lylah. He is also survived by family in the Netherlands and Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents Cornelis and Maartje, sisters Trien and Griet and brother Arie Jan.

To those who loved him, Neil’s memory is a blessing.

His Celebration of Life will be held at Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery on September 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.