Ernest Leenders

  Mr. Ernest Leenders passed away at the Christian Health Care Center in Lynden on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 at the age of 92. He was born in Lunteren, the Netherlands, on Feb. 6, 1924 and immigrated to the United States with his mother in 1936. Ernest graduated from Lynden High School in 1943. He was married to Ethel Vander Griend in Lynden on April 9, 1948. Ernest was a lifelong dairy farmer, 11 years near Everson and then in 1959 moved north of Lynden on the Bender Road until retiring in 1995.
  Ernest is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ethel; two sons, Ernest Jan Leenders (special friend Clarena Wind) and David (Shelley) Leenders; two grandchildren, Aaron David and Kelsey Marie; one great-granddaughter, Myra Sophia; sister in law Sylvia Vander Griend and numerous nieces and nephews.
  He is preceded in death by his mother Jennie Vander Veen; stepfather Sam Vander Veen; stepbrothers Clarence and Henry Vander Veen; stepsister Alice Ellerbroek; his father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Jennie Vander Griend; and brother-in-law Gerrit Vander Griend.
  Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation, 8581 Depot Rd., Lynden, with interment following at Monumenta Cemetery. The Reverend John den Hoed will be officiating.
  The family would like to thank the staff at the Christian Health Care Center for their patient and loving care given to Ernest during the past five months.
  The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be given to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264; or the Light House Mission, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227.
  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.