Nathan Korthuis, authentic, loyal and full of adventure, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 20, 2017 at the age of 28. Nate was born on June 3, 1988 in Bellingham to Randy and Janice (Brim) Korthuis. He was the eldest of three children. Nate graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 2006 and worked in construction, a trade he learned from his dad.
Through mutual friends, Nathan and Miranda Sparber met in 2011, fell in love and were married Jan. 11, 2014. They bought a motorhome and packed up and headed out on a honeymoon adventure, a dream fulfilled for both of them.
Nate was an adventure seeker, and he loved the blue sky, sunshine, water and snow. Nate started skiing at 2 years old and loved skiing Mt. Baker where he was part of the Mt. Baker Volunteer Ski Patrol for five years. He also loved tenting in Hawaii and building the tallest tree house in Lynden. He was extremely creative and artistic and always creating beautiful projects. Nate was a lover of all kinds of music and enjoyed playing his guitar. He loved kids, and kids were drawn to him. He served twice with Mission Builders at YWAM Kona, once in 2006 and again in 2011. In April 2010 Nathan was in a serious motorcycle accident and in October 2016 he had a cardiac arrest — he said both of these taught him “that life is a gift.”
Nathan was preceded in death by grandfather Bill Brim.
Nate is survived by his loving wife of 3-plus years, Miranda; parents Randy and Janice Korthuis; brother Brandon and sister Emily; and grandparents Ken and Esther Korthuis, Margaret Brim and Joni Byrd. He will be greatly missed by parents-in-law Randy and Jodi (Hoksbergen) Sparber; brothers-in-law Colin Sparber and Shane Sparber; sister-in-law Emma (Tim) Bosch and his favorite little niece Madden; and grandparents Curly and Patti Hoksbergen. He was loved by an extended family of numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of Nathan’s life service was held on Monday, March 27, in North County Christ the King Church of Lynden.
The “Miranda Korthuis benefit account” is set up at Peoples Bank where gifts can be deposited anonymously at any branch. Your contributions will help Miranda navigate through the future to come.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
