Anneke "Anna" Kooistra, age 85, of Lynden, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, June 27, 2011. She was born June 10, 1926 in Franeker, The Netherlands to Pieter and Anna (Offinga) Steinfort. After high school she attended nursing school for five years and worked in Holland and then California where she met and then married Edward Kooistra in Bellflower on December 14, 1960. Later they moved to Washington State where they dairy farmed until 1978; retiring in Lynden.
Thru the years Anneke volunteered at the Hope Chest and the Lynden Community Center and was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where she enjoyed attending the Bible Studies.
Preceded in death by her husband Edward in 2005; Anneke is survived by her sons Sidney (Jackie) Kooistra of Colorado Springs, CO and Ed (Annette) Kooistra, Jr. of Lynden; daughter, Annette Jane Kooistra of Lynden; grandchildren Amanda (Kevin) Spoelstra, Jonathan (Stephanie) Kooistra and Daniel Kooistra of Lynden and Joshua and Rachel Kooistra in Colorado Springs, CO; great-granddaughters Hannah Faith and MaKenna Joy Spoelstra of Lynden; siblings Francien Hoekstra-Steinfort, Tjepke (Thea) Steinfort, Tjeerd (Marie) Steinfort and Atty Steinfort and numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Visitation hours will be Thursday, June 30, 5 to 7 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, July 1, 10:00 am in Monumenta Cemetery followed by an 11:00 am memorial service at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 1105 Liberty St., Lynden with Rev. John Van Schepen officiating.
