Tony Gilbert Kortus, of Lynden, born on Feb. 7, 1931, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 18, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born to John and Gertie Kortus in Rock Rapids, Iowa, where he was raised until moving west to South Dakota and then to Whatcom County, Washington. He was drafted into the Korean War in 1952 and served two years. In 1954 he married the love of his life, Virginia “Jean” Tjoelker. Together they had three sons and owned and operated a Custer dairy farm for almost 40 years. While farming, he also worked for Kiel’s Construction and Vander Giessen Refrigeration. He went into partnership of Lynden Tractor in 1985. He was the project coordinator for Ebenezer Christian School during a remodel on the building and on the building committee at Second Christian Reformed Church.
Upon retirement, he did maintenance work for many businesses throughout the county. Throughout his years, he was an elder and deacon of his church, served as a Cadet counselor and volunteered his time to many Christian ministries including Prison Bible Ministries. Over the years, Tony loved woodworking and built numerous wood projects, including birdhouses, toys, furniture and even grandfather clocks. He enjoyed the challenge of putting together complex puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertie Kortus; daughter-in-law Jana Kortus; two grandchildren, Mandi and Stephen Kortus; sisters Alice Kortus, Effie Schmick, Jennie Schab, Gert Cook and Johanna Cure; and brothers Gerrit, Albert and John Kortus.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean; sons Rich (Linda) Kortus of Custer, Randy Kortus of Lynden and Ray Kortus of Custer; grandchildren Jimmy, Sara, Troy, Matt, Melissa, Mark, Mike and Tawnee; great-grandchildren Jayda, Easton, Kolston, Quincy and Makayla; sisters Cora Winterberg and Etta (Harold) Carbee; brother Bill Kortus; brother-in-law Bill Cook; and sister-in-law Myra Peterson.
You are invited to join the family for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, in Second Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Ben deRegt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian Rd., Lynden, WA 98264; and the Second Christian Reformed Building Fund, 113 Eighth St., Lynden, WA 98264.
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.
