Eleanor Louise Zylstra

Eleanor Louise Zylstra was greeted in Heaven by Jesus and husband Andy on Dec. 14, 2023, in time for her son-in-law, Stan’s, heavenly birthday. Eleanor was born Aug. 4, 1926, in Bellingham to Joe and Agnes (Slotemaker) Estie and passed away at the Christian Health Care Center due to dementia. She was 97 years old.

After graduating from Lynden High in 1944 and going to Calvin College, Mom and Dad were married June 7, 1946, and together they took over the farm in Custer from Dad’s parents. They fazed out raising chickens and strawberries to focus on milking cows until 1987. Mom and Dad moved closer to Lynden where Mom was able to design and build her dream house after many years of going through multiple house plans. Mom also taught school at Sumas Christian, Ebenezer Christian and Lynden Christian. Over the years Eleanor helped with Calvinettes, (GEMS), making potato salad at church and the Granny’s Club for Ebenezer. 

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, our Dad, Andrew Zylstra, son-in-law Stan Haagsma, sisters Jean Yonker Bosman and Deloris Wood, brothers and sisters-in-law  Warren Yonker, Jim Wood, Otto and Shirley Zylstra, Jelt and Dorthy Zylstra, Mack and Ann Zylstra-Haagsma, Bill and Rosaleen Zylstra, Susie and Jess Biddle, Shorty Bosman, and Ada and Don Martin. She is survived by daughters Carol Zylstra, Laurie Zylstra-Haagsma and fiancé Gerrit VanZanten, Luanne Zylstra; and grandchildren Chessa, Shannon and Blake Haagsma; and her sister Joan Vander Molen in Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.

Mom’s memorial service will be at Lynden’s First Christian Reformed Church on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Robert Woodyard. Interment preceded at Monumenta Cemetery. Memorial donations can be given to Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian, Lynden, Washington, 98264. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.