Donley Verlyn Wiersma, age 80, of Lynden, passed away peacefully at the Hospice House in Bellingham. His health had declined quite rapidly due to Parkinson’s disease.
Don was born on May 6, 1937 in Sheldon, Iowa, to Sid and Grace Wiersma. The family spent a couple of years in Lynden, Washington, and then settled in Bellflower, California. Don attended Bellflower Christian Schools. After high school, he drove truck about 10 years hauling hay, cement and grain. He married Ada Nell Koopman on Feb. 29 (a leap year!) 1956. Their children Daniel Verlyn, Karen Elaine, Sharon Alverna and Donald Jay were born in California.
In 1966 Don and Ada decided to leave California and they moved their family to Battle Ground, Washington. Don owned and operated two different dairy farms in the area.Their youngest, Rebecca Lynn, was born in Vancouver, Washington. In 1971 Don and Ada moved again, this time to the east side of Washington. They operated a hay farm in Ephrata until 1996. All of their children graduated from Ephrata High School. After retirement in 1996, Don and Ada moved to Birch Bay. They lived there until October 2001. They finally settled on the golf course in Lynden.
Don liked to be active. His many hobbies included playing baseball and city basketball during their years in California. Once in Washington, he took up fishing and hunting. Don and Ada loved boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and snowmobiling. Don also raced mini-Indy cars for several years in Ephrata. He enjoyed playing tennis and golfing. He was also always involved in their churches, serving as deacon and elder and teaching Sunday School.
After retiring from farming, Don and Ada loved to travel in their motorhome. They made many trips around the United States. They spent many winters in Palm Springs with old friends and new friends. They also helped CRWRC with several work projects over the years.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ada. He is also survived by their children Daniel and his wife Karen, Karen Kooistra, Sharon and her husband Dennis Rowenhorst, Donald and his wife Sue, and Becky and her husband Darrell Packard; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by all of his siblings, John, Edith, Alverna and Nellie Ann. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Les Kooistra.
Don’s memorial service was at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2018 at Sonlight Community Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, with Pastor Ken Koeman officiating. Burial preceded at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Lighthouse Mission, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227-0548; Whatcom Hospice House, 2806 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225; or Zuni Christian Mission School, Zuni, NM 87327.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
