It is with great sorrow that the Spek Family shares the passing of our beloved Hans Spek, an incredible local and international artist, teacher, and dreamer. He passed peacefully in Humboldt County on the morning of November 25th, 2023 knowing he was deeply loved. Hans was preceded in death by his lovely wife Christine Spek on July 28, 2020 during the pandemic. Christine departed this world in the home her and Hans shared and the wonderful environment they created together with Hans, daughter Lisette, and family by her side. Hans and Christine were so cherished and loved.

Hans was born on March 1, 1934 in the city of Haarlem in his homeland of Holland. He came into this world on Centauru Straat in his family’s home on the street he shared with his grandmother. He had a little sister who he loved. He was a clear joy to his family throughout his childhood, an adorable and spirited baby and child as evidenced by the many family photos. He was a wanderer and was known to be found by his fathers fellow policemen on the other side of town exploring from a young age. Hans, like many of his children and grandchildren, was towheaded with a great big smile. Christine was born Christine Schoemaker in the city of Delft, Holland on April 6th 1935. She was a sweet and caring child, the oldest of five children. Christine was descended from rose breeders and Hans was from the family who had long served the Dutch royals through forestry. Both of their fathers were policemen, Hans’ father with the Royal Police. Christine’s father was a part of the dutch underground and helped save many lives through his work with the Dutch Resistance during the war years. Hans and Christine were both mischievous, perhaps one of the qualities that united the two. They lived through and survived many of the unspeakable tragedies of World War II in their childhoods but in spite of the pain they both witnessed and experienced, their spunky and fun loving personalities persisted.

During the war, Hans’ family moved from his hometown of Haarlem he loved so much to a house in the country in Vaassen where they survived on the farmland. They then moved to Apeldoorn where Hans’ grandfather was a forester to the royals at Het Loo palace. Christine’s family lived in Arnhem during the war years, moving to Apeldoorn during the Hunger Winter following the war. This was where Hans and Christine met when they were 13 and 14 years old. They attended high school together at Queen Wilhelmina High School where they were taught English, German, and French in addition to their native language of Dutch. Hans took art classes with a Dutch Master outside of school, encouraged by his mother who respected his great passion for art.

It was at Queen Wilhelmina High School that Hans and Christine fell in love. Christine loved that Hans was an artist and wanderer, and Hans loved that Christine was dedicated and funny. Their parents and teachers disapproved, but neither Hans nor Christine allowed that to hamper their connection, they insisted on being together. They went on many adventures together in the Netherlands, trips to the Island of Terschelling to tan and have great fun with their friends, travel to Austria, a bike trip through Belgium countryside where Hans slept in the farm houses, and so many more wonderful times. After high school Hans was in the Air Force in Holland for two years and then worked as a cartographer making maps. Christine was a writer and editor for a publishing company in Delft where her high intellect was recognized. In 1958, Hans and Christine were married and boarded a boat to immigrate to a new country at the ages of 23 and 24. America had limited availability at the time, so they settled for Canada. Christine was nervous to leave her homeland, but Hans reassured her that if she ever needed they could return, they might as well have an adventure - and they did! First stop was Canada where their first child, son Jeff, was born. Christine was delighted to be a mother, she loved babies and children. Hans worked as a surveyor and was soon offered an opportunity to immigrate again, this time to Southern California. They jumped at the chance and it was in Santa Ana that they welcomed their daughter Lisette.During their years as a family in Southern California, Hans worked as a Civil Engineer and painted avidly in his free time, teaching oil painting lessons up to three times a week. He traveled to Alaska through his employment where he saw nature that deeply inspired him.

Christine was a dedicated mother and wife, she was incredibly intelligent and went to college while her children were in school to earn a B.A. in Literature from Cal State Fullerton. She then opened a popular and quality store in Tustin selling Many wonderful imports and decorations. Hans and Christine were both creating avidly during this time, Hans with his oil paints and watercolors and Christine with watercolors, textile stitching, knits, and recipes. They went on family vacations with their kids to Europe and road trips to the Tetons they loved so much in Wyoming. Hans enjoyed adventures with his daughter, spending time with his son fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park, and skiing with his family in the winter. Hans and Christine later went back to the Tetons with both of their children and all five grandchildren where wonderful memories were made. Hans always wanted to go on an adventure, both big and small, and Christine was perpetually along for the ride, she was amused by her loved ones interests and always joined in - even with Skiing eventually!

Christine loved to cook and bake incredible dishes and Hans heavily preferred her cooking. She loved to read Russian literature and, like her father’s family, grew beautiful roses in her garden. Hans enjoyed going fishing, maps, collecting trinkets, exploring in nature, and listening to music, especially organ music. He had a liking for mastery and tradition, and Christine had one for creativity. Hans was a dreamer, his entire life he reported many fantastically realistic dreams, often flying through landscapes and exploring many lands. Hans was an incredibly talented and accomplished oil painter and artist, he was so proud of his paintings and felt a deep connection to and was inspired by many of the grand master painters such as Rembrandt (his favorite), Frans Hals, Canaletto, Caravaggio, and Vermeer. He replicated a number of their famous works throughout his lifetime between his own landscapes, portraits, and still lives. Christine was accepting of everyone and always open to new ideas and experiences. She loved a hearty conversation, even if someone’s views didn’t match her own. Christine was incredibly righteous. Both Hans and Christine were wickedly humorous, so keen, observant, and clever. They were companions in every sense of the word.

Hans and Christine moved for the final time in 2006 to Humboldt County to fulfill Christine’s dream of living near grandchildren; Hans graciously agreed even though he was pained to leave the art market where his paintings sold so well in Southern California. They moved to Fortuna, a community they loved and a landscape that inspired Hans’ later artworks. Here, they both participated in raising 3 of their 5 grandchildren, granddaughters Rhea, Ula, and Marlo.

Christine jumped right in to help pick them up from school, cook amazing weekly family dinners, host weekend and holiday sleepovers at her house, and brought a loving and soft touch to every milestone. She made incredible pancakes. They never missed a holiday or birthday since the day their cherished first granddaughter Rhea was born. They often went back to Holland and made trips to Florida to visit their son Jeff, grandsons Garret and Ian, and great-granddaughter Willow. Hans had an art studio in their garage again where he continued to paint while Christine knitted many masterpieces and gifted them to her family.

Hans was a member of the Redwood Art Association for many years. Christine hiked often with the Ramblers walking group, Hans would join periodically, and they loved farmers’ markets and good cafes. Hans taught all three of his granddaughters to drive. Christine was incredibly close with her family, especially daughter Lisette with whom she held a strong bond and granddaughter Marlo who was her very best friend. They spent a lot of time together at cafes, the knitting shop, advising each other on sewing and designing, and being so comfortable in each others company. Christine was a master gardener and had show-winning Daffodils in the Daffodils by the River flower show in Fortuna. Hans continued to teach art lessons and had many students in Humboldt County who he loved to spend time with, he won many awards for his paintings. Hans advised his granddaughters Marlo and Ula in art over the years. Everywinter, Hans made his traditional Dutch New Years Olibollen donuts and they sent Dutch chocolate letters to the family in Florida for Christmas.

When Christine’s health began to decline, Lisette and her children cared for her and had a jam- packed last year full of memories. Hans never left her side until the very end. He was devastated to lose his wonderful wife of 62 years and friend of 72 years. In his final years, he spent a great deal of quality time with daughter Lisette who cared for him lovingly as well as his granddaughters. Lisette and her daughters provided him much care and often took him on car rides and adventures.

Hans and his best friend Ula spent an incredible amount of time together in his final five years. They shared a brilliant connection and friendship creating and discussing art. Marlo devoted herself to a well-forged common bond with Hans in artistry. Marlo and Ula were his protégés and carry on his legacy in painting. The family made every holiday a party for Hans. In The end of his 89th year, after a stellar visit with his son and a lovely Thanksgiving celebration with his family, Hans went “home” to be with his wife Christine who he loved so much. His last drawing was the Tetons, a reflection of his love for the time spent with his family and so many wonderful memories. He had just spoken with his daughter and let her know he had dreampt of all of the people who he loved. He was excited and ready for his next trip.

There will be a memorial and celebration of life held on Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church: 2132 Smith Lane in Fortuna. Artists and friends who knew Hans and Christine are encouraged and welcome to attend the event. Many thanks to all who made this community so great for them. Thank you to Emma for your loyal friendship to our Hans. And thank you to Lisette for your hard work over many years providing the absolute best care and attention to Hans and Christine.

To our beloved Hans and Christine, thank you so much for your incredible beings. The Spek Family loves you both so dearly. We will always keep your lights alive. We houden zoveel van je!