Martin Sterk entered into Glory March 30, 2017 after living almost 92 years as a man who led quietly by example. Martin was born April 27, 1925 in Stickney, South Dakota, to Frank and Johanna Sterk. In 1937 they moved to Artesia, California, and then in 1940 to the Everson area. He was the oldest of seven siblings.
Martin married Beverly Koetje July 26, 1950 in Sumas and together had four children.
Martin said, “The secret to living a long life was working hard.” Raised as a farmer, he went on to work at Purina, Whole Feed, driving feed truck for Albers Feed, working at Germania and driving a feed truck for Ferndale Grain (from which he retired). During this time he also operated a dairy farm with his boys in Everson until 1978. Upon “retirement,” he continued to work, around their many road trips, for Kamphouse Painting, Sampson Berries, Timmermans Berries and Bedlington Farms (whom he still drove for in 2015).
Martin was a charter and lifetime member of the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church where he served as deacon for many years. He was also a longtime member of the Everson Lions Club.
Martin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Beverly; children Norma Jo (Bert) Bovenkamp, Gary (Sharon) Sterk of Sumas, Jim (Debi) Sterk of Columbia, Missouri, and Rob (Caroline Teske) Sterk of Sumas; 10 grandchildren: Sheri (Troy) Dykes, Duane (Krista) Vermeer, Marc (Trish) Bovenkamp, Laura (Kris) Veldman, Diane (Chad) Likkel, Cindy (Gunther) Laus, Carrie Sterk, and Ashley, Amy and Abby Sterk; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons; brothers Gerrit (Claudette) Sterk and John (Trixie) Sterk; sisters Minnie VanderPol and Rickie Prink; brother-in-law Roke Schelhaus and sisters-in-law Norma (Jerry) Stenevich, Joanne (Gaylon) Vander Yacht and Dalene Koetje.
He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Jessie Schelhaus and Gertie Jorgenson; brothers-in-law Ron, Neil, Alvin and Howard Koetje, Bill Prink, Morris Kalsbeek and Mike VanderPol; and son-in-law Calvin Vermeer.
You are invited to join the family for a time of visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Gillies Funeral Home. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in Nooksack Valley Reformed Church with Rev. Chuck Kleinhesselink officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church, 602 E. 2nd St., Nooksack, WA 98276; or Everson Lions Club, 6574 Lawrence Rd., Everson, WA 98247. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Martin loved Jesus, his Family, the Seahawks, the Mariners, the Nooksack Valley Pioneers and whatever team his son Jim was the athletic director for at the time.
This man of few words showed so much love and will be truly missed.
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.
