Don Geleynse
Don Geleynse, age 91 of Lynden, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
He passed at home peacefully with his beloved wife and children surrounding him. Though we missed having our loving Dad with us, we know he enjoyed the best Father’s Day ever with his Heavenly Father.
Don was born Jan. 1, 1932, in Lynden to Peter and Harriet (Venhuizen) Geleynse. He was raised on the family dairy farm and was in the very first graduating class of Lynden Christian School in 1949.
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1952-1954. He met and married the love of his life, Janice Bennink, on Sept. 2, 1954. Together they took over the family farm and raised four children. In addition to running his own dairy, Don also worked at the Lynden and Everson auction barns.
Don loved the Lord and was a servant hearted leader who gave in so many ways to his family, church, community, and to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was an active member, elder and deacon of Third Christian Reformed Church; served on the school board of Lynden Christian; and volunteered for many years at the Lynden Paper Baler. After selling his dairy farm they moved to Lynden where he went on to work in sales at Ace Hardware for 25 years, and was known as the one at Ace who “could always find anything.”
Family was Don’s number one priority, and he adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Adding travel to his appreciation of family, every three years of the last 25 he has taken the entire clan for a reunion in different parts of the country.
Don delighted in playing and watching sports and loved to golf – scoring two holes-in-one in his career. Even at 91 he was still playing his age and beat his kids and grandkids with the lowest golf score at their last reunion. He and Janice faithfully attended Mariners spring training for 15 years. He cherished watching his kids and grandkids sporting events and was their biggest fan.
Don is survived by his loving wife of nearly 69 years, Janice; sons Greg (Von) Geleynse, Ken (Chris) Geleynse, and daughters Janelle (Graham Youtsey) Bruland, and Julie (Ed Burkey) Brands; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and two more on the way. Don will be greatly missed by his sisters Geraldine (Jerry) Vander Pol and Phyllis (Art) Tjoelker.
What a legacy we have received from him and it will live on in us.
Memorials can be made to Lynden Christian Schools or New Way Ministries in honor of Don Geleynse.
Visitation will be at Gillies Funeral Home on Friday evening, June 30, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. His graveside service will be in Monumenta Cemetery on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. memorial service at Third Christian Reformed Church, Lynden.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
