Mr. Henry Stremler, age 96, passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 14, 2004.
Henry was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1907, to Fred and Gertie (VanderMeulen) Stremler in Lynden. Before marriage, Henry worked a short time in Borculo, Michigan for an uncle and fished for a summer in Alaska. Aside from those experiences, he lived in northern Whatcom County his entire lifetime. He was married to Ann Kuipers on June 10, 1932 and together operated a dairy farm. In 1970 they retired to 810 Grover Street in Lynden. This gave Henry more time for his large vegetable and flower gardens, time to fish, hunt, bowl, play bocci ball and pool, and to socialize at the Lynden Senior Center. His children and grandchildren and all who came into contact with Dad will remember him for his art of storytelling. He acquired a wealth of everyday experiences and was innovative and liked to try new techniques.
Mr. Stremler was a lifetime church member, in his youth at the First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden and later at the Second Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Ann, on August 21, 1989; his parents; bothers Simon, Steve, Herman, Bill and John and a daughter-in-law, Ruth Stremler.
Henry is survived by children; Ferrel Stremler and fiancée Marilyn DeKryger of Chicago, IL., Harlean and husband Larry Stegink of Lynden, Aubin Stremler of Aiea, Hawaii, Gretchen and husband Arnold VanDyken of Everson, Gordon Stremler and wife Marilyn of Lynden, Virgil Stremler and wife Cheeta of Lynden, Gloria Tisdel of Lynden; 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; sister Florence Kiel who resides at Lynden Manor, brother Fred Stremler and wife Gen in Montana; sisters-in-law Grace Kuipers and Terressee Kuipers of Van Zandt, a special cousin, "Uncle Jack", and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.
When Henry was 19 years old, his mother died and his father married Anna Kingma bringing more siblings in the family circle. Surviving are brothers Simon Kingma, Ralph Kingma, Louis Kingma, and sisters Dorothy Hobson and Martha Loomer. Deceased is Sylvia Mady.
Memorials may be made to Cascade Christian Service, Greenhouse Project, 131 West King Tut Road, Lynden, WA. 98264.
A special thank you to the Christian Health Care Center staff for the love and care Dad received the last four years he resided there.
