Ralph J Visser age 96, passed away Friday, April 8, 2022, at his home in Lynden Washington. He just missed his 97th birthday by 11 days. Ralph was born April 19, 1925, at home on Stickney Island Rd, Everson to parents Jelte and Jennie Visser, their third child of ten.
Ralph married Cora Lankhaar on October 8, 1947, and together they had five children. Ralph and Cora purchased a 40-acre farm on Kragt Rd then expanded to 113 acres northeast of Lynden. In 1987 they retired to a home on Pangborn Rd.
While Ralph enjoyed farming, he also drove truck for Elenbaas Dairy, Carnation, Doug Pullar, Harold Day, and finally Whatcom Builders as a driver. Ralph retired from farming at the age of 65 and was recruited to help with the cardboard truck at Lynden Christian School where he was a faithful volunteer for 15 years. Ralph served with the Lighthouse Mission Ministries as a board member and was a charter member of Sumas Christian Reformed church. He also served on the Sumas Christian school board, PTA, and church missions committee.
Ralph and Cora enjoyed trips to Europe, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, New York, and many other states. Ralph was always available to help out the kids on the farm in the spring and summer with tractor work or where needed. It was then he taught his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren the example of a servant’s heart.
Ralph is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Cora, son Jelte Visser, great granddaughter Jera Sterk, brothers Wallace Visser, Lambert (Freda) Visser, Hilbert (Wilma) Visser, Bill (Edith) Visser, Andy (Gert) Visser, and Jasper John Visser; in laws Mel Robertson, Cornelius Lankhaar, William Lankhaar, Gerrit (Dorothy)Lankhaar, Dennis (Barb) Lankhaar, Marie (Rene) VanderPloeg, and Helen (Maurice) Honcoop.
Ralph is survived by children Alice (John) Sterk of Lynden, Richard (Phyllis) of Keizer, OR, Rod (Penny) Visser of Lynden, and Carolyn McIlvenna of Lynden; nine grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by sisters Jeannette (Jake) Stap of Lynden and Marj Robertson of Grants Pass, Oregon, brother Elton Visser of Sumas, and sister-in-law Agnes Lankhaar of Lynden. The private Graveside service is set for Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 2 p.m. Memorial service at Sumas Christian Reformed Church.
