Egbert (Bert) J. Holtrop of Lynden, Washington passed away at the Whatcom Hospice House on Monday, July 27, 2015. He was 88 years old.
Bert was born Feb. 25, 1927 in Custer to Harry and Hattie (Bovendam) Holtrop. He was one of five sisters and four brothers. Bert attended Custer and Lynden schools through the 10th grade before working on the dairy farm.
He met Lola Widman in 1945. They were married in Ferndale on Aug. 6, 1948. Together they had six children; Nancy, Virgil, Lyle, Marilyn, Bruce and Carol. In 1991, Bert retired from Intalco after 25 years as a tool crib manager. He enjoyed woodworking, telling jokes and exercising at the YMCA until he was 86 years old. Bert also enjoyed visiting numerous friends at the Christian Health Care Center. He was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church for 20 years and in 1996 Bert and Lola moved to Lynden.
Bert was preceded in death by sisters Fern Klein and Grace Kortus; brothers John, Joe and Elwyn; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lola; children Nancy (Ron) Draper, Virgil (Faith) Holtrop, Lyle (Jessie) Holtrop, Marilyn (Roger) McDowell, Bruce Holtrop, and Carol (Mark) Prince; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one on the way; numerous nieces and nephews; and sisters Nina Reddrick, Glenice Honrud and Anne Geleynse.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 at Sunrise Baptist Church, 2480 W. Badger Rd., Custer. Memorials may be given in Bert’s name to Sunrise Baptist Church or Whatcom Hospice House, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
