Henrietta “Toots” Buys Van Zwol died in Bellingham with Hospice on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. She was 92.
Toots was born May 7, 1926, with her twin sister Willemina (Willy Ten Kley) in Hatfield, Minnesota, to Hendrik and Wilimpja (DeKrief) Buys. She had eight brothers and six sisters: Evert, Gerrit, John, Jennie, Jeanette, Bill, Bertha, Marie, (Toots and) Willie, Hank, Paul, Tina, Jim and Don. They migrated to Lynden in 1943.
Toots is survived by her children: Jason Van Zwol (Carolina Sturgeon), Jane Van Zwol Moore (Bil Moore), and Jackie Van Zwol (James Harris); four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She also leaves behind her siblings Tina Van Dyke (Lou) of Grand Rapids, Jim Buys (Minnie) of Quincy, and Don Buys (Leona) of Lynden.
Toots was preceded in death by her adored husband, Gerrit Jacob Van Zwol (1925-1998). Toots and Bub were much loved by their families.
A memorial for Toots will be held at Faith Reformed Church of Lynden at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, with a reception following.
