Gertrude (Kooi) Mellema, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandchildren (Beppe) went to be with her Heavenly Father surrounded by her husband and family in Lynden on Sunday, November 23, 2003. She was 93.
Gertrude was the daughter of Aan & Sjoukje (VanderLeest) Kooi and was born in Friesland, The Netherlands on May 23, 1910. She was married to Andrew Mellema in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands on September 5, 1934 and left for America shortly after to reside in Southern California. In 1949 they moved with their six children to the Lynden area where they operated a dairy farm. In 1968 they retired and moved to their home on 12th Street in Lynden where they lived for many happy years.
Mrs. Mellema was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden where she was also active in the Lydia’s Circle. Gertrude was a faithful servant of the Lord and her great joy was her Lord and family.
She was preceded by a son-in-law Richard Schweigert and great-granddaughter Erica Mellema.
Gertrude is survived by her husband of 69 years, Andrew; children Shirley and husband Fred Bierlink, Betty Schweigert, Joyce and husband Doc Zylstra, Dick and wife Esther Mellema, Ted and wife Clarice Mellema, Andrew Jr. and wife Barb Mellema and Barbie and husband Bob Iaconetti all of Lynden and Tony and wife Cindy Mellema of Bellingham; 32 grand and 44 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 800 East Chestnut, Bellingham 98225 or to the Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Nooksack Ave., Lynden 98264.
