Everett Zuidmeer, 93, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Lynden Manor from complications of pneumonia.
Everett was born Aug. 20, 1923 in Lynden in a house on the corner of Pine and Eighth streets. He was the seventh child and second son of Willem M. Zuidmeer and Adriana C. (Oversloot) Zuidmeer. He attended Lynden Christian School through eighth grade and then went to Lynden High School, there not being a Lynden Christian High School at that time. His father had a business on Front Street and that is where Everett spent his time, in and out of various stores, doing odd jobs and errands. While still in school, he began working for Paul Henderson in the jewelry business. He graduated from high school in 1941 and in 1942 joined the U.S. Navy in spite of not being able to swim. He served throughout World War II on the aircraft carriers USS Hornet and USS Gilbert Islands. He was a plank owner on both ships.
In later years he liked to tell the story of not setting foot on dry land for 14 months during his naval service. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. In 1947 he met Kay Crabtree on a blind date set up by his sister-in-law and brother. They proved to be good matchmakers. Everett and Kay were married on May 15, 1948. Later that year they moved to Peoria, Illinois, where Everett attended the Bradley University School of Horology. After his graduation they moved back to Bellingham, where Everett began to work at Milton E. Terry Jewelers. They bought their first house on East Victor Street in Bellingham and while they lived there their children were born, a son, followed by a daughter. Everett always wanted to move back to Lynden, and took a job at Paul Hugdahl Jewelers at 511 Front St. In 1957 he and Kay bought the Edson house on Fifth Street in Lynden and settled in. He continued to work for Paul Hugdahl until 1966 when he bought the business. He and Kay ran Zuidmeer’s Jewelry until their retirement in 1986.
Everett believed in giving back to his community. Over the course of the years he belonged to Kiwanis and other civic organizations. He served on the City Council, the Lynden Planning Commission, the board of his church and —the achievement of which he was most proud — the Lynden Community Center. He was instrumental in its start-up and served on the board for many years. He also cooked a lot of pancakes at the monthly breakfasts.
During their retirement Everett and Kay traveled extensively. Over the course of their long marriage they visited all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. They also made several trips to western Europe and the South Pacific. They sold the house on Fifth Street and moved to Homestead. Everett kept fixing clocks and that financed many of their trips. He drove all over Whatcom County making clock calls in his little Mazda pickup with the “Clocdoc” license plate. He finally, reluctantly, quit fixing clocks when he was in his mid-80s. Clock repair was his hobby as well as his career.
When they were 90 and things got to be a bit too much, Everett and Kay moved to Lynden Manor. They enjoyed their time there and everyone at the Manor grew to recognize Everett’s whistling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, all six of his sisters, two brothers-in-law and one niece.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kathleen, residing at Lynden Manor; son John Zuidmeer of Birch Bay; daughter Patricia Zuidmeer (Bruce Larson) of Custer; granddaughter Terra Zuidmeer of Birch Bay; brother Peter (Bernita) Zuidmeer of Everson; several nephews, nieces and their children.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lynden Manor and Dr. Steven Alexander and his staff for their competent and compassionate care of Everett.
Memorial services will be announced. Donations may be made in Everett’s name to the Lynden Community Center.
Please 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.
