Grace Vander Kooi
Lynden resident Grace Vander Kooi, age 92, went home to her Lord and Savior on April 15, 2008. She was born Oct. 25, 1915, to Edward and Wilhelmina (Burgers) Van Roekel in Sioux County, Iowa. She grew up in Iowa, became a teacher and taught for two years in Hospers, Iowa.
On June 26, 1939, she married William VanderKooi in Hills, Minn. Together, they moved to San Francisco and then to Alameda, Calif., where they joined Alameda Christian Reformed Church. Grace was a Sunday School teacher, Children's Church leader and for 20 years taught first and second grade in Alameda Christian School. Following her husband's retirement, they moved to Lynden in 1980 and were members of Third Christian Reformed Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill."
She is survived by daughter Linda (Harlan) Kredit of Lynden; son Ben (JoAnn) VanderKooi of Sammamish; grandchildren Tim (Lisa) Kredit and children Rachel and Eric; Kim (Micah) Moses, Karen (Chris) Rast and son Collin; Clint (Kathy) VanderKooi and children Matthew and Amber; and Jill (Sean) Knudson and daughter Megan; sisters Hendrene Alsum of Wisconsin and Doris Johnson of Virginia; brother-in-law Jim VanderKooi of Iowa; and sister-in-law Gertrude Scholten of Iowa.
A memorial service was conducted Friday, April 18, at Gillies Funeral Home Chapel. Private burial was in Monumenta Cemetery. Memorials in Grace's name may be made to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr.,
Lynden Tribune on April 23, 2008
While in Alameda, Mr. VanderKooi was a member of the Alameda Christian Reformed Church where he served on the church council and on the Board of the Alameda Christian School. In 1980, he and Grace moved to Lynden and became members of the Third Christian Reformed Church and where served as an Elder. Bill also did volunteer work for Project Hope and the Lynden Christian Schools. He was also an avid fan of Lynden Christian athletics.
Mr. VanderKooi was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Agnes Wortman, Sally Timmer and Josie VanBerkum and is survived by his wife Grace; daughter Linda (Harlan) Kredit of Lynden; son Ben (JoAnn) VanderKooi of Sammamish, WA., grandchildren Tim (Lisa) Kredit and children Rachel and Eric; Kim (Micah) Moses, Karen (Chris) Rast and son Collin, Clint (Kathy) VanderKooi and children Matthew and Amber, and Jill (Sean) Knudson; brother James (Velma) VanderKooi of Hull, Iowa; sister Gertrude (Gene) Scholten of George, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Hendrene Alsum and Doris Johnson, and numerous other relatives.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, August 4, at 10 am in the Chapel of Gillies Funeral Home, 202 Front St, Lynden, with Rev. Dick Vriesman and Rev. Tom Kok officiating. Private burial will precede in Monumenta Cemetery. Memorials in Bill's name may be made to the Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264.
-Obituary from Gillies Funeral Home.Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr.,
Lynden Tribune on April 23, 2008
Hendrene J. Alsum
RANDOLPH - Hendrene Johanna Alsum, 89, of Randolph, has gone home to where she wanted to be, in Jesus arms. She died peacefully on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at the Golden Living Center - Continental Manor in Randolph.
Hendrene was born on May 12, 1919, in Perkins, Iowa, a daughter of Stephen and Johanna (Van Wesep) Van Roekel. Following her formal education, Hendrene moved to the Randolph area to teach at the Christian School in East Friesland. On Aug. 1, 1940, she was united in marriage to George Alsum and they farmed near Randolph for many years. She was a dedicated, faithful member of Second Randolph Christian Reformed Church, where she participated in the Women's Society and was often a leader for the Bible study. Hendrene was a woman of great faith in God and love for Him, which she shared in a quiet and unassuming way with everyone around her. Her spirit of love and caring will live on in all those that she touched.
Hendrene is survived by five children, Michael (Esther) Alsum, Grand Rapids, Mich., David (Carina Karlsson) Alsum, Bristol, Va., Pamela Alsum, Madison, Timothy Alsum, Reno, Nev., and Thomas (Lori) Alsum, Randolph; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Johnson, and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1971; her son, Stephen in 1961; her parents; and seven siblings.
Hendrene's life will be celebrated in a service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Second Randolph Christian Reformed Church, 322 Tamarack St., Randolph, officiated by the Rev. Karl Bratt. Burial will follow in the Randolph Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. hour of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial designations may be made to The Back to God Hour, or CWCRC.
Randolph Community Funeral Home is privileged to serve the family.