Daniel Frank Spriensma
April 1, 1983 – August 3, 2024
Our much loved son and brother Daniel died peacefully in his sleep, likely from a condition known as SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. We as family members, together take comfort in knowing that his struggles with an alcohol addiction coupled with the challenges of living with seizures (since 2017) have ended, but his untimely departure has left a large void in all our hearts.
Throughout his life Dan had a heart for helping others, forming deep and meaningful relationships with family and friends. He touched many lives in his last two years of living in the Salvation Army housing facilities as well as the George Spady detox and recovery program, but also while meeting the less fortunate and downtrodden members of society on the streets of Edmonton.
Daniel was born in Grimsby, Ontario and lived with his family in several other cities in Ontario before coming to reside in St Albert Alberta in 2001. In following years he left home to move to and from BC several times, often for work and once to study journalism. Dan loved to travel and held onto a dream of living somewhere other than in Canada and in fact spent most of 2020 in Guatemala.
Left to mourn his passing are: his parents, Douwe and Marion Spriensma, sister Rachel, brother Brent (Erica), sister Miranda Meikle (Colin) and brother Jonathan (Kayleigh). Also missing uncle Dan are Ethan, Tyler and Lucas Spriensma, Silas, Aidan, and Caellum Meikle and Sterling Spriensma. He will also be missed by his uncles, aunts and cousins across Europe and North America.
Cremation has taken place and a service to honour the life of Daniel was held in St Albert on August 9, 2024.
A quote from Walt Whitman encapsulates Dan’s life: “Examine all that you have been told… and dismiss that which insults your soul.”
Please consider a donation to either of the organizations which supported Dan in recent years:
• George Spady Centre in Edmonton
• Salvation Army Centre of Hope in Edmonton.
The family would appreciate you sharing a photo, tribute, memory or expression of condolence.
Sending so much love to Dan’s family, from my heart over here in Chilliwack, BC. He was a good friend, with a giving heart and an incredible mind. I am so grateful to have known him, and I am forever changed by some of the things he gently opened my eyes to. I am grateful that we got to share our lives and our hearts with eachother for a time.
Thank you, Dan. I wish we could have had one more big talk, maybe with some rolled cigarettes, starlight, and good music playing in the background.
Much love.
My heart is broken for your loss. He was always so nice when I saw him . I hold you all up in prayer.