Traci Van Dyken, age 37, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 after a ten-year battle with breast cancer.
Traci was born April 30, 1979 to Paul and Cheryl (Schuitema) Van Dyken in Bellingham. She grew up in the Bellingham area, attending Bellingham Christian School, Evergreen Christian School and graduating from Lynden Christian High School. Traci went on to Multnomah Bible College, graduating with a degree in educational ministries. She was a preschool teacher at Sunshine School and Creative Minds Preschool in Portland, Oregon.
Traci lived for Jesus, always wanting to grow and learn more about Him. People knew her for her smile. She especially loved to spoil her nieces and nephews whenever she could. Traci enjoyed hiking, camping, boating and paddling on the Pink Phoenix Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat team. Traci was a member of Trinity Bible Fellowship in Portland and Faith Reformed Church in Lynden.
Traci was preceded in death by grandparents Ralph and Marjorie Van Dyken, Gordon Schuitema and Al Haak.
She is survived by her parents, Paul and Cheryl Van Dyken; sister Stephanie (Tim) Broersma and their children Addison, Charlie, Myriam and Baylee; and brother Jason (Lindsay) and their children Talan and Ashlyn; grandparents Etta Haak and Betty Schuitema; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. She was loved by her Portland family from school and church and many friends.
There will be a celebration of Traci’s life in Lynden at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in Faith Reformed Church with Pastor Marcus Roskamp and Jesse Rodli officiating. In Portland a celebration of life service is at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in Trinity Bible Fellowship, 2700 SE 67th St., with Jesse Rodli officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Pink Phoenix Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team in memory of Traci, 818 SW 3rd Ave. #1207, Portland, OR 97204.
You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
