While the words of Psalm 23 were being recited by her children, the Lord took Leona Greta Bos on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at 88 years old, to Heaven to dwell with her Lord and Savior forever.
Leona (Dykstra) Bos was born in Lynden, on Sept. 6, 1929, to Dave and Pauline (VanWeerthuizen) Dykstra. In 1936 she moved with her parents to a farm in Sumas which was the beginning of Leona’s lifetime love for the small town of Sumas. Leona attended school in the Nooksack School District and graduated from Nooksack High School in 1947. On Sept. 2, 1947 she married George Bos and began their married life on a farm east of Sumas where their three boys and three girls were born. In 1965 they started their business, Valley Plumbing and Electric, where she worked side-by-side with her husband. Later they built a home and shop at 332 Mitchell St. and continued the business there. Valley Plumbing and Electric was eventually moved out of town on the Halverstick Rd. where it continues today.
Leona was an active lifetime member of Sumas Christian Reformed Church. Her greatest joy was serving her God, husband and children and as the family grew she loved and faithfully prayed for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leona was a valued and well loved part of the community. She enjoyed going for walks and meeting her friends for coffee throughout the years. After George, her husband of 67 years, passed away Leona moved to Meadow Greens in Lynden and continued to bless those there with her joyful spirit and servant heart. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” was a favorite text of Leona‘s along with “This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Leona was preceded in death by her parents, husband George, brother Pierson, sister Jean DeVries, sons Jerry and Doug, son-in-law John VanBerkum, and grandson Graham DeBruin.
She is survived by son Dennis and Nettie of Sumas; daughters Sandy and Keith TeSelle of Lynden, Cindy VanBerkum of Everson, and Georgia and Jerry DeBruin of Sumas; daughters in law Kathy Bos of Lynden and Diane Bos of Everson; 21 grandchildren; and 44 great grands with two more joining the family soon; brother Merv and Lucy Dykstra of Grandview, Washington; sisters in law Margaret Buwalda of Waupun, Wiconsin, Jessie Snider of Bellingham, and Francis Tracy of Snohomish.
Leona was taken from this earth just as the words were spoken, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” She no longer has to fear, for she is forever with her Lord and we do not have to fear for the Lord is with us here on earth. Great is His faithfulness! We will always hear what she so often said in her times of grief and loss, “We go on from here”
You are invited to join family and friends with visitation on Friday, April 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday April 7, in Sumas Cemetery followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service in Sumas Christian Reformed Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Seeds of Hope Ministries, P.O. Box 791 Sumas, WA. 98295. 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.
