It is with great sadness that the family of Gertie Saar announces her passing on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at the age of 79.
Gertie was born April 17, 1939, the oldest of six, in Deming, to Peter and Martha Rensink. She lived in Whatcom County all her life but for a short time in Snoqualmie Falls. She graduated from Mount Baker High School in 1957. Gertie was a lady with a heart of gold. She never was known for saying anything bad about anyone. She lived a life committed to helping and caring for many other people, thinking of their needs always before her own. She was loving, caring, self-sufficient and a bit feisty. Gertie loved people. She was a helper, caregiver and friend to all. She was a social butterfly and had a way of engaging strangers into conversations. She loved the company of family and friends, especially enjoying all from the Sumas Senior Center and places she would go to karaoke.
Gertie enjoyed many gatherings. She fiercely loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, rarely missing any of their sporting events or activities. She lived for those moments and always made time for them. Gertie was always doing something kind for someone else or lending an ear when needed most. She had a love for chocolate and had an eye for any Dairy Queen that could be in sight. Gertie was always a very dedicated and hard worker. From a young age she started working in the berry fields; she worked at Sumas Meat for Harold and Kay Bishop; Kale Cannery in Everson where green beans, beets and carrots were processed; B&B Tavern where she bartended for Bill and Betty Lou Donahue; and Columbia Valley Meat, Gravel and Excavating where she wrapped meat, smoked hams, bacon, sausage and turkeys and was running the business with her husband Allen.
Gertie is survived by her four children, Gloria Wheeler, Ken Bock, Rod (Tammy) Bock and Arlene (Rob) Crozier; two stepchildren, Chrissy (Dave) Workman and Greg Saar (Mary Mihira); sisters Jane (Don) Payton and Ruth (Thoral) Bodily; brothers Henry Rensink and Pete (Linda) Rensink. She will be missed by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a large extended family and friends.
Gertie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Martha Rensink, a baby brother, stepson Darrell Lee Saar, first husband Arthur Bock, second husband Allen Saar, sisters-in-law Lorrell Rensink and Patricia Bock, son-in-law Dale Wheeler, and her canine companion Puppers.
A graveside service will be held in Sumas Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, followed by an 11:30 a.m. celebration of life service in Sumas Advent Church. You are invited to stay after the service for refreshments and share memories with family and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Cystic Fibrosis Program, c/o Seattle Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145–5005; Sumas Senior Center, 461 W. Second St., Sumas, WA 98295; or the American Cancer Society.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at www.GilliesFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
