Marion Kamphouse

  Marion Elizabeth (Koetje) Kamphouse was promoted to her heavenly home on Sept. 12, 2015, at the age of 94. A gracious lady, Marion, also known as Mickey, was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by family and friends.
  Born in the family home on Vinup Road to Hattie and Corneilius Koetje, Marion was the eighth of nine children and was preceded in death by all her siblings. She is also reunited with her husband of 66 years, Clarence “Dewey,” and daughter Ruth.
  Six children were blessed with her long life: Don (Theresa), Marilyn (Gordon) Stremler, John, Virgi (Rudi) Diephuis, Bill (Kathy) and Neil; 19 grandchildren; 34 “greats” and one great-great adored their “Gram.” She had a protective, even fierce, love and loyalty for her family earning her the nickname “Mama Bear.”
  Two years after graduating from Nooksack High School in 1938, Mickey met her Michigan man at the Northwest Washington Fair. It was love at first sight for them both. After marrying in 1942, Marion followed her military husband to many locations in the United States.
  A Whatcom county resident most of her life, Marion was active in Dairy Wives, Bible studies, Red Cross and various volunteer organizations. She was an avid reader, an excellent seamstress, a frugal manager of her home, a nature lover and a sports enthusiast. Large family get-togethers, family reunions and almost any social gatherings delighted her.
  Marion was a Christian and the reality of God’s grace was so meaningful to her she chose the words “Grace, Grace, God’s Grace” as an inscription on her and Dewey’s headstone.
  A time of visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in Gillies Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Sonlight Community Christian Reformed Church, 8800 Bender Rd., Lynden. A private family graveside committal will precede at Monumenta Cemetery.
  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Water Wins, which is bringing hope and life to the people in Eastern Kambari, Nigeria, by drilling wells to provide clean water to that desolate and forgotten area, c/o Sonlight Community Christian Reformed Church.
  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.