Julia Zylstra Lynden, Washington Obituary

Julia Zylstra

Lynden resident, Julia Beatrix (DeVries) Zylstra, age 79, was taken home to her Lord on June 9, 2021. She was born to Robert and Anne DeVries on November 30, 1941 in Groningen, Netherlands. Julia moved with her family to the United States in 1952 and lived in New Jersey for a short time before the family established roots in Grand Rapids, MI. She and her family were members of Sherman Street CRC. Julia graduated from Grand Rapid Christian High School and then a 1964 graduate of Calvin College. Julia spent a couple summers in Everson, WA with a college friend. While here Julia attended Everson CRC on Sundays where she met Henry. After a two-year courtship, they married on August 19, 1964 in Grand Rapids. Henry and Julia traveled back across the country for their honeymoon and settled on the family farm where they raised their four children. Julia was a faithful member of Everson Christian Reformed Church and most recently the United Reformed Church of Lynden. Julia will be lovingly remembered by her family. Daughter Kris (Steve) Parker and children Jacob and Emily; sons Dave (Marianne) Zylstra and children Morgan, Kurtis and Lacey; Brian (Monica) Zylstra and daughter Abby; and Mark (Gina) Zylstra and children Lucy, Molly, Ruby and Henry; brother Rev. Ecko (Pat) DeVries of Grand Rapids, MI and sister Grace (Jim) Cremer also of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law Adeline (Harley) Dykema of Portland, OR. Julia was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her parents Robert and Annie, brother Rudy and granddaughter Esther. Julia lived out the words of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1. This comfort was most certainly with her as she spent her final moments here on earth. She exemplified this to her children and grandchildren, reminding us often “this world is not our home!” Julia deeply enjoyed serving the Lord by volunteering for years with Henry at Fraser Valley Gleaners, then later at the Second Chance Thrift Store, and in her quiet time corresponding with the letter writing and Bible Studies program of Prison Ministries. Julia was a servant of the Lord and will be deeply missed! Friends and family are invited to stop by Gillies Funeral Home for visitation and viewing on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The memorial service will be at United Reformed Church on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
November 30, 1941 - June 9, 202111/30/194106/09/2021
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Obituary

Lynden resident, Julia Beatrix (DeVries) Zylstra, age 79, was taken home to her Lord on June 9, 2021. She was born to Robert and Anne DeVries on November 30, 1941 in Groningen, Netherlands. Julia moved with her family to the United States in 1952 and lived in New Jersey for a short time before the family established roots in Grand Rapids, MI. She and her family were members of Sherman Street CRC. Julia graduated from Grand Rapid Christian High School and then a 1964 graduate of Calvin College. Julia spent a couple summers in Everson, WA with a college friend. While here Julia attended Everson CRC on Sundays where she met Henry. After a two-year courtship, they married on August 19, 1964 in Grand Rapids. Henry and Julia traveled back across the country for their honeymoon and settled on the family farm where they raised their four children. Julia was a faithful member of Everson Christian Reformed Church and most recently the United Reformed Church of Lynden. Julia will be lovingly remembered by her family. Daughter Kris (Steve) Parker and children Jacob and Emily; sons Dave (Marianne) Zylstra and children Morgan, Kurtis and Lacey; Brian (Monica) Zylstra and daughter Abby; and Mark (Gina) Zylstra and children Lucy, Molly, Ruby and Henry; brother Rev. Ecko (Pat) DeVries of Grand Rapids, MI and sister Grace (Jim) Cremer also of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law Adeline (Harley) Dykema of Portland, OR. Julia was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her parents Robert and Annie, brother Rudy and granddaughter Esther. Julia lived out the words of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1. This comfort was most certainly with her as she spent her final moments here on earth. She exemplified this to her children and grandchildren, reminding us often “this world is not our home!” Julia deeply enjoyed serving the Lord by volunteering for years with Henry at Fraser Valley Gleaners, then later at the Second Chance Thrift Store, and in her quiet time corresponding with the letter writing and Bible Studies program of Prison Ministries. Julia was a servant of the Lord and will be deeply missed! Friends and family are invited to stop by Gillies Funeral Home for visitation and viewing on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The memorial service will be at United Reformed Church on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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Events

Jun
16
Visitation
Wednesday, June 16 2021
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Services
202 Front St.
Lynden, WA 98264
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Jun
17
Memorial Service
Thursday, June 17 2021
02:00 PM
United Reform Church of Lynden
8650 Benson Road
Lynden, WA 98264
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Final Resting Place
Monumenta Cemetery
1980 Front Street
Lynden, WA 98264
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