Longtime Lynden resident and business owner Lloyd Broersma, age 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Lloyd was known for his entrepreneurial and adventuresome spirt, and being a man of integrity with big heart for those in need.
Lloyd was born on Feb. 3, 1927, in Ireton, Iowa, to parents Lawrence and Grace (Wichers) Broersma, the first of 12 children. When he was 12, the family moved to Zillah, Washington, and later to Lynden where Lloyd graduated from Lynden High School in 1946. Lloyd attended Calvin College for a time before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1948. He served as a staff sergeant in Guam and Japan with his final stint at Mather Air Force Base in California. Before being honorably discharged, Lloyd married Catherine Stap on Oct. 12, 1951 and together they would have five children.
Lloyd had his hands in several businesses. He partnered with John Louws in Louws Construction and later worked for the Steenmeyer Corporation. Lloyd had a knack for fixing things and solving problems and had a skill for electronics, so in 1963 he opened Lloyd’s Electronics in downtown Lynden, later in the Fairway Center, and he was in business for many years. He also owned and operated Baker Avionics and a partner venture, the Everson Lectronic Shop. He operated Lloyd Aviation in the Lynden Airport where he gave flight instruction and offered aircraft rental.
Lloyd loved music and sang in his church choir and with the Mt. Baker Toppers. He also enjoyed sailing and was passionate and skillful at navigation.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Garrett, Ted and Bob Broersma.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Catherine; children Ronald (Kathy) Broersma, Jim (Mirella) Broersma, Douglas (Terhi) Broersma, Janice Faber and Mary (Rodney) Long; 26 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by siblings Marvin, Marjorie, Elsie, Joyce, Ben, Dennis, Dorothy and Ken, and numerous other family members.
Services were held on Saturday, April 21, with graveside committal in Monumenta Cemetery and a memorial service in Third Christian Reformed Church of Lynden.
Memorials are suggested to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264; or Ebenezer Christian Schools, 9390 Guide Meridian Rd., Lynden, WA 98264. You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home.
