Richard Biesheuvel, age 87, of Lynden, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 12, 2018, after a sudden brain hemorrhage.
Richard was born in Lynden to Dick and Maggie (Oordt) Biesheuvel on Feb. 11, 1931. He attended Lynden schools. On Dec. 16, 1948, he was married to Ada Nieuwendorp and together they raised their six children.
Rich worked tirelessly as part of the family business, Lynden Meat Company, and began butchering at the age of 10. Rich started “butchering on the farm” in 1964. Rich took over the business from his father, and in 1985 they also began Lynden Ice Company. He ran the businesses with his sons until his retirement.
Rich was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lynden, serving as elder and deacon. He enjoyed boating, fishing, golf and snowbirding in Arizona. After Ada passed away in 2001, Rich was married to Yvonne Key on Dec. 26, 2002.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ada; brothers- and sisters-in-law Jake Vreugdenhil, Rod Likkel, Tony and Nellie Staal, Bob and Kathryn Blankers, Lawrence and Dolores Benner, Ed and Wilma Bouma, John Nieuwendorp; daughter-in-law Debbie (Van Mersbergen) Biesheuvel, grandson Corey Biesheuvel, grandson-in-law Larry Roosendaal, and step-grandson Tyler Hardy.
Survivors include his wife, Yvonne; children Vicki (Bob) Duim, Rick (Ruth) Biesheuvel, Tami (Galen) Koetje, Scott (Debbie) Biesheuvel, Mitch Biesheuvel, and Brett (Pam) Biesheuvel; sisters Harriet Vreugdenhil, Ruth Likkel and Marge (Doede) Postma; brothers- and sisters-in-law Roger (Gladys) Nieuwendorp, Richard (Carol) Nieuwendorp and Karen Nieuwendorp; also 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; along with two step-sons, Jeff and Chad and their wives, and four step-grandchildren.
You are invited to join family and friends for Rich’s memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, in First Christian Reformed Church of Lynden. Burial precedes in Monumenta Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Christian Reformed Church Mission funds, 1010 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
