Kathryn J. Blankers, age 96, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 22, 2017 at Lynden Manor. She was born to Richard and Hannah Nieuwendorp on Jan. 31, 1921. Kathryn lived in the Dakotas until she was 15 when her family moved to Sumas. She graduated from Nooksack-Sumas High School in 1939.
Kathryn was married to Robert Blankers on June 4, 1941 and they had four children. They co-farmed with his father Arnoldus for about three years before buying their own farm in Everson. Kathryn worked alongside Bob on the farm while raising their children. Bob and Kathryn were always united in spirit and committed to each other. You could hear Kathryn joyfully humming and singing throughout her day.
Kathryn loved to sew clothes for her growing family and do mending as a ministry for several organizations. She enjoyed her flowers and vegetable garden. Kathryn was very active in the Nooksack Valley Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, Awana and VBS. Kathryn was known for her outgoing personality, greeting new families at church, and hosting many people for Sunday dinner. She had a heart to minister and serve. Kathryn was a special friend to many.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Bob; her parents; a great-granddaughter, Hayley Hanowell; sisters Nellie (Tony) Staal, Wilma (Ed) Bouma, Dolores (Lawrence) Benner and Ada Biesheuvel; brother John Nieuwendorp; grandson-in-law Manuel Mandosa; and brothers- and sisters-in-law Gerrit (Gladys) Blankers, Tina (Harry) Bajema, Ernest (Hilda) Blankers, Bertus (Lena) Blankers, Arnold (Helene) Blankers, Gladys (John) Cook and Pat Blankers.
She is survived by children Daryl (Dorothy) Blankers of Birch Bay, Lila (Craig) Massey of Marysville, LaVonne (Fred) Neufeld of Gig Harbor, and Keven (Liz) Blankers of Mesa, Arizona; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed by brothers Roger (Gladys) Nieuwendorp and Rich (Carol) Nieuwendorp; sisters-in-law Karen Nieuwendorp and Shirley Bouma; brothers-in-law Rich (Yvonne) Biechevuel and Zeger Blankers.
A time of visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 30, in Gillies Funeral Home. The graveside service will take place in Nooksack Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday, May 1, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service in her home church, Grace Baptist Fellowship, 338 N. Park St., Lynden.
Contributions are suggested to Corban University, 5000 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97317; Camp Gilead, 30919 NE Carnation Farm Rd., Carnation, WA 98014; or to the Missions Fund at Grace Baptist Fellowship, 338 N. Park St., Lynden, WA 98264.
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.
