John “Jack” Stremler, age 91, of Lynden, went home to be with his Lord on Sat. Oct. 8, 2005. Born Oct. 25, 1913, on the family farm, to Lewis and Sena (Languis) Stremler, he was a lifetime resident of Whatcom County. He attended Northwood School through grade six followed by two years at Lynden Christian Grade School. In June of 1945, he married Alice Jager in Lynden. Together, they dairy farmed on the Pangborn Road until retirement in 1976. John was a charter member of Third Christian Reformed Church; served on the Monumenta Cemetery Board for many years and enjoyed volunteering at Lynden Christian Schools operating the paper baler. Following retirement, he enjoyed playing pool at Lynden Senior Center and continued helping at the farm whenever possible.
Visitation hours will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, 1 to 8 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Wed., Oct. 12, 2005, 1:15 pm at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm, at Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St., Lynden.
Preceded in death by his wife, Alice, in 1995; his parents; sisters, Johanna Lenssen, Sadie Bouwman, Pearl VanMersbergen, Fanny Bajema, Greta Stremler; brothers, Simon, Gerrit and Maurice Stremler; and special cousin, Hank Stremler.
He is survived by his daughter, Sheila (Leonard) Spoelstra; sisters, Hermina DeJong and Freda (John) Nyland; sisters-in-law, Marian Stremler and Wilma Wynstra; grandchildren, Tricia (Loren) Terpstra, Darcy Spoelstra, Nick (Kylie) Spoelstra, Alicia (Paul) Adams, Caitlin Spoelstra and Jon Spoelstra; great-grandchildren, Jake and Charlie Terpstra, Taryn and Taylor Spoelstra; numerous other family members.
Memorials may be made to Lynden Christian Schools Endowment Fund, 417 Nooksack Ave., Lynden, WA 98264.