Johanna Douma, age 95, went home to her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 22, 2011. A lifelong Lynden resident, she was born December 15, 1915, to Cornelius and Marie (Van Mersbergen) Jager, at Worthen Station on Northwood Road.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Pete of 66 years in 2005; son, Kenneth in 1968. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Dora Stremler, Minnie Boon and Hilda DeYoung, brother, John Jager and sisters-in-law, Winnie De Vries and Nellie Andriesen.
Johanna is survived by daughter, Connie (Dave) Burns; son, Dean (Gail) Douma; daughter in-law, Joyce Langley (Dave); 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; sister, Marie (Hank) Kaemingk; sisters-in-law, Sophia Van Wyk and Klazina Carl.
She was a long time member of Third Christian Reformed Church, where on August 1, 1939, Johanna married Peter Douma, and they were the first couple to marry in the church. Together, they owned and operated Lynden Sheet Metal for many years. Best known as “Grandma Jo” to family and friends, she was the “volunteer extraordinaire” in her church, Lynden Christian School and the community. Johanna’s hobbies included ceramics, quilting, sewing and also doing the finish work on Pete’s woodworking projects.
Johanna’s family is thankful for the loving care given their mom these past few months by Kim Honorof, at Among Friends Adult Family Home.
Visitation hours are Thursday, August 25, 4-7pm, at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, August 26, 1:15pm at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 2pm memorial service at Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty Street, Lynden. Memorials are suggested to: Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, 98264.
