George ROZEBOOM

ROZEBOOM, DE KOEKKOEK, SCHEFFER, GILLANDERS, VANDER MOLEN, HOUGHTEN, DENHAM, LANGE, ALLEN, SMITH, SCHAAP, DE BOER, TIMMER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/2/2013 at 14:03:08

June 6, 1916 --- December 21, 2012

On 12/21/12 George Rozeboom entered his heavenly home after 96 fruitful years on earth. Born to John and Anna Rozeboom in Kanawha, IA on 6/6/16, he was raised with his six siblings in Edgerton, MN, followed his sweetheart to WA in 1938, married Elizabeth ("Toots") De Koekkoek in 1940. Dairy farming, first with Ren De Boer by Lynden and later buying a farm from Albert Timmer, Sr. by Sumas, was his joyful work till retirement in 1982. Often he teamed up with good friend Joe Scheffer to fill silo among the neighborhood. Other than a few vacations to visit his MN relatives, he never missed a milking. At age 16 in Edgerton, MN he made his profession of faith. Daily Bible reading and praying were a key part of his whole life. His church home was Sumas Christian Reformed Church for his last 60+ years. There, some have called him and his wife "pillars of the church." He was a humble servant, a man of integrity who helped make a significant impact upon this world. He spent several terms on church councils as well as serving on Christian School, Dairy testing, Kiwanis, Christian Health Care Center, Burial Society, and Community Center boards. At age 88 "Toots" insisted he quit his cardboard paper pick-up work as a 20+ year volunteer for LCS; it looked too dangerous to her. Working in the flowers and garden was a favorite outside activity while he kept his mind sharp by playing Scrabble inside. At age 93 he memorized Ps. 130, and then he learned to "wait upon the Lord" in a special way at the CHCC. Gentleman George graced the CHCC for the last three years with his kind eyes and sweet smile though communication was difficult after a stroke 2 ½ years ago; he remained positive and thankful his whole life. The family is truly appreciative of all the care and love he received there as well as the many folks who visited him.

His grace and generosity was certainly evidenced in family life too. He leaves four children – John with Jeannie in Lynden, son Dave with Deena and Drew, Dani, Desi, and Dakota in TX, son Paul with Sue and Liesl and Annemarie in MI, and daughter Kara with Josh Gillanders and Kenzie in Edmonds; Ida Ann with John H. Vander Molen of Winthrop, daughter Jacki with Jonathan Houghten in TX, son John M. with Valaree and sons Jakob, Isaak, and Michael in Seattle; Gerry with Liz in MI and daughters Becky with Jason Denham and Anna, Rachel, and Caleb in Burlington, Bethany and her sons Simon and Anson Lange in MI, and Melissa with Andy Allen in MI; and Eric in Chehalis and daughters Tanya with Geoff Smith and Zachary in Seattle and Leesha in Bellingham. Living in MN are George's siblings Josie Schaap (99) and Marv (86) with wife Alma, and sisters-in-law Clara and Harriet; already passed are George's brothers Bill, Elmer, Bud, and Vern. Wife "Toots" passed on in 2007 after a blessed marriage of almost 67 years. Living in Lynden is her sister Rachel and brother Gerard, with wife Marian; already passed is brother Ted, his wife Jo, and brother-in-law Howard. WA kin remember well how he enjoyed family times around root beer floats and his own birthday wiener roasts by the swamp.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Sumas Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, December 29 with a brief graveside [Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, Washington] service at 1:00 p.m. preceding. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Lynden Christian School, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264 or The Back to God Hour, 6555 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, IL 60453

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