Fanny Van Ry

With thankful hearts for a life well lived, the family of Fanny Van Ry sadly announces her peaceful passing on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the age of 96. 

Fanny was born to Herman and Johanna (Zwiers) Roelofs on Aug. 8, 1925, in Lebanon, Iowa. The family later moved to Washington State, where she met Hugo Van Ry at a young people’s meeting at church. They married on Aug. 14, 1945 and celebrated 64 years of marriage before his passing in 2009.

Together they settled in Lynden where they raised their family on a small hobby farm. Fanny enjoyed many years working as a clerk at the Lynden Department Store and True Value Hardware as well as volunteering at the Hope Chest and Second Chance thrift stores.

Fanny was known for being a wonderful hostess, often apologizing for “not having much to offer,” only to provide a full spread of homemade treats and baked goods.

Fanny enjoyed gardening, music, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. Fanny was always one to take care of others and help wherever needed.  

Fanny is preceded in death by her parents, husband Hugo, daughter Karen De Ruyter, as well as all her siblings and in-laws, being the last of the Roelofs and Van Ry siblings to pass on. 

Fanny is survived by her son Gary (Tina) Van Ry, daughter Leta (Tom) Hastings, and son-in-law Nelson De Ruyter; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren Brent and Rochele De Ruyter (Blake, Grant Taya and Jadyn), Alyssa and Karl Bos (Jasmine and Kayla), Amy and Jack Vanderschaaf (Alex and Tyler), Brady and Heidi Van Ry (Trey, Janay and Caia), Chrissy and Scott Jesse (Macy and Hudson), and Tim and Laura Hastings (Kaleb and Lily).

A memorial service will be held at Gillies Funeral Home on Saturday, March 19 at 10:30 a.m., following the private family burial in Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden. 

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Dr Suite A Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.