The dairy community mourns the loss of Bettina Schuurmans

A tour of dairy products across the country was tragic for a couple of Elmira

Bettina and Henk Shuurmans were driving their John Deere tractor during a tour promoting the industry dairy farm when their tractor hit a truck. The couple had just left Saskatoon Monday morning and was going to their next stop in Edmonton when the accident occurred

Bettina Schuurmans, 55, died from the collision and her husband, Henk Schuurmans, 55 years old. , was transported to hospital in critical but stable condition

The driver of the truck being transported was not injured.

The couple left their farm in Elmira on June 23 and its final destination was supposed to be British Columbia. The purpose of the hike was to show consumers that dairy farmers are also families.

"They wanted to share with Canadians the importance of dairy farming in Canada," says Laurel Adams, Dairy Farmers of Ontario. "It's not just the supply management system and the economy, but there are real people in Canada who are dairy farmers."

During the tour, both met on their farms

"They were doing something as good … and that the whole community was behind," says Wendell Schumm, a family friend. "I think it makes things even more difficult."

The Schuurmans have long-standing agricultural roots in the Waterloo region with the duo running a dairy farm, Milky Wave Inc., in Elmira

. rewarding, "says Schumm. "It was something they really believed in and they wanted to make sure that other people see that."

Schumm says that Bettina will be remembered as someone who does not know anything about it. one who loved to have fun and as a worker who dedicated his life to it.

He says the family asks for intimacy during this time, but they appreciate the kind thoughts and words of those who reach out into the community.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is still investigating the cause of the collision with respect to costs has not been released.