Lynden resident Cornelia E. “Cora” Visser passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at the age of 86.
Cora was born on Jan. 9, 1930 to Walt and Alice (Honcoop) Lankhaar, one of seven children raised in the Lynden area. She attended Lynden schools. Ralph took the place of his brother on a blind date and it was then that he met Cora. They were married Oct. 8, 1947 and were blessed with five children. Cora and Ralph bought a dairy on the Kraght Road where Cora helped with bookkeeping, raising the children, and all the other typical chores of a dairy farmer’s wife.
Cora was a member of Sumas Christian Reformed Church, volunteering as the child care coordinator, Bible study leader and with Ladies Aid. She loved having Sunday dinners with family and old and new friends. She enjoyed shopping, talking on the phone, playing board games, traveling, and selling and delivering eggs.
Cora was preceded in death by son Jelte; sisters Marie Vander Ploeg and Helen Honcoop; brothers Cornelius, William, Dennis and Gerrit Lankhaar.
Cora is survived by her husband of 69 years, Ralph; children Alice (John) Sterk, Richard (Phyllis) Visser, Rodney (Penny) Visser and Carolyn McILvenna; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, in Gillies Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, in Monumenta Cemetery followed by a noon memorial service in Sumas Christian Reformed Church.
In honor of Cora, memorials may be sent to Lynden Christian Schools and Lighthouse Mission.
You are invited and encouraged 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.
