Etta Haak, age 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. Etta was known by her grandchildren as Grandma YaYa and for having the best chips and dip. Her faith in the Lord was her rock.
She was born in Lebanon, Iowa, on March 4, 1935, to parents Herman and Johanna (Zwiers) Roelofs. When Etta was young, the family moved to Oak Harbor and then to Everson where she attended grades 1-3 at Everson Elementary School before transferring to Lynden Christian, from which she graduated in 1953.
Etta met Gordon Schuitema and they were married in 1955. They moved for a short time to Michigan, then back to Lynden in 1959. She had three children with Gordon. Etta had a career in banking for Old National Bank and then Rainer National Bank before retiring. She later met Al Haak and they married in 1980. She worked at Al’s Electric & Plumbing as a secretary.
Etta was passionate about music and loved playing organ at church. She enjoyed puzzles, word searches, bird watching and also traveling.
Etta was preceded in death by husbands Gordon and Al; grandchildren Dennis Haak and Traci Van Dyken; son-in-law Larry Bosman; and brother Henry Roelofs.
She is survived by children Cheryl (Paul) Van Dyken, Randy (Susan) Schuitema, Cindy Schuitema, Alice Bosman, Gord (Marilyn) Haak, Allen (Kim) Haak and Sheryl (Brad) DeHaan; 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed by sisters Fannie VanRy and Hermina Arendse; sister-in-laws Edith Plagerman and Lois Hollar; and numerous other relatives.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Gillies Funeral Home. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Lynden United Reformed Church on Benson Road.
Memorials may be sent to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, WA 98264; or Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian Rd., Lynden, WA 98264; or the Lynden United Reformed Church Building Fund, 8650 Benson Rd., Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
