Mabel “Marian” VanLant went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. She was 82 years old. Marian was born in Columbus, Montana, on Nov. 8, 1932, to John and Katie (Oostema) Zylstra. She was one of eight children. Marian was a 1950 graduate from Brooten High School in Brooten, Minnesota, which is where she met the love of her life Doug VanLant. Marian and Doug married on Oct. 21, 1952, in Brooten and were blessed with four children: Jay, Terry, Cheryl and Glen.
Marian and Doug farmed for 30 years mostly around Washington. She worked hard doing morning milkings and watching the kids while Doug took care of chores. In her spare time she worked for Alsum & Bode Furniture in sales, as secretary, cleaning and maintenance, but by far her hardest job was keeping track of Bill Bode and Jim Alsum. Later in years, she liked to paint, cross stitch and crochet, entering an afghan into the Northwest Washington Fair. Marian loved to travel to places like Penticton, B.C., California, Mexico, Arizona and Iowa for an antique tractor show, to name a few. Marian and Doug became members of Third Christian Reformed Church in 1962 and had the same set of special friends that gathered every Valentine’s and New Year’s Eve from that time forward.
Marian is survived by her husband of 62 years, Doug; children Jay (Fran), Terry (Dianne), Cheryl (Jim Lankhaar) and Glen; grandchildren Tim, Wayne, Bret, Janelle, T.J., Darren, Lisa, Mandi, Ryan, Brittany and Brianne; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by sisters Hilda (Hank) DeKruyf, Tracy (Gerrit) VanderStelt, Jessie (John) VanHofwegen, Donna (John)Bosma, Alice Zylstra and Norma Kreun.
Marian was preceded in death by brothers Henry Zylstra and Martin Zylstra; sister Aleda (Glenn) Bouwman; and grandson Scotty Vanderhage.
A graveside committal will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at Monumenta Cemetery followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service in Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St., Lynden, WA 98264.
Memorials may be given in Marian’s honor to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., 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.
