Ann Franken

  Long-time Lynden resident Ann (Antje) Franken died at Peace Health Hospice in Bellingham on Sept. 6, 2016. She was 98 years old.
  Ann was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, John Evert Franken. She leaves three children and their spouses: John (Sandi) of Smithers, B.C., Robert (Nancy Kinney) of Frisco, Colorado, and Irene (Greg) Helgath of Lynden. She is survived by 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; also sister Tosca Brune of Lynden.
  Ann was born on Aug. 31, 1918 in den Haag, the Netherlands, one of 10 children born to Jan Pieter and Geertruide (deKrey) Van den Berg. After surviving the German occupation, she joined the Red Cross at the end of World War II and traveled to the Dutch East Indies where she met her husband, who was posted with the Royal Dutch Military in Medan. They married in 1947, then returned to Holland two years later after the birth of their son, Jan Piet. Following the births of son Robert and daughter Irene, the family immigrated to the United States in 1953 and settled in Seattle.
  Ann worked as a nurse for many years, then for Medicine for Missions (now World Concern). Following retirement, she and her husband traveled to many other countries and spent two years establishing a Habitat for Humanity project in Papua, New Guinea. After returning to the states and settling in Lynden in 1986, she remained active in their church and in her children’s lives.
  A memorial service was held in Sonlight Community Church, 8800 Bender Rd., Lynden, at 12 noon on Monday, Sept. 12. Burial was in Ten Mile Cemetery.