Martin De Lange

  Martin John De Lange (aka Opa/Poopa), age 63, of Lynden, went to be with the Lord on June 1, 2021.
   Martin was born on Sept. 10, 1957, to Martin and Elizabeth (Verwey) De Lange in Riverside CA; he was raised in the Escondido and Fresno CA areas and graduated from Riverdale High School. He married the love of his life, Doreen Dykstra, in 1978. The young family took a leap of faith and moved to Whatcom County WA in 1982 where Martin started his farming and construction careers.
  Martin’s sons were his greatest pride. He loved spending time on family road trips, vacations and camping and fishing. As a jack of all trades, Martin loved mentoring his boys in construction and farming as they grew older. Martin had the gift of gab and could connect with everyone. In 2005 Martin suffered an injury that paralyzed him. He then transitioned his energy into volunteering at local schools, Meadow Greens and at the Farming for Life tent of the Northwest Washington Fair. Grandkids became an added happiness in his life as well as enjoying coffee with friends and his church life group, helping people with various projects, and reading many, many books.
  Martin will be greatly missed by his wife and her family; sons Martin Jr. (Lacey), Jacob (Alicia), Jonathan (Maggie) and Adam (Meghan); grandchildren Bennett, Elizabeth, Jameson, Thomas, Brantley and Griffin; sisters Nellie De Lange, Gerda (Jim) Conner and Margaret (Randy) Tos; brothers Dick (Pamela) De Lange, William (Pam) De Lange and Pete (Patti) De Lange; numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends.
  He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Verwey) De Lange; father-in-law Raynard Dykstra; brother-in-law John Dykstra; and his beloved pet Brutus.
  An open house was held on Saturday, June 5, at Faith Community Church of Lynden. All were welcomed. There was a private memorial service for the family.
  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Whatcom Family Farmers Education.
  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.