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Peter Poortinga Obituary

Pete went home to the Lord on March 20, 2014. He was born on July 18, 1923 in Milaca, Minnesota, at home to Peter and Ida Poortinga. He had four older sisters, Betty, Alice, Grace and Margaret. He came to Snohomish County as a teenager with his parents. After finishing eighth grade he began to help his father on the family farm. He continued the love of farming with his farms in Duvall, Arlington and Sundown Farms in Marysville. In 1945 Pete married his sweetheart Ailene Breen and stayed by her side for 67 years until she passed two years ago. He missed her very much. Pete's hobbies included going to breakfast with friends at Ellie's and Denny's, playing rummikub, visiting with family and friends, and feeding his squirrels. He was a charter member of Cascade Christian Reformed Church and spent many years on the church council and other church committees. He also served on the Citizens Bank board which later became Frontier Bank, the Co-Op board, the Everett Christian School Board, the Noxious Weed Board, was a member of the Dairy Federation for many years, was Snohomish County Dairy family of the year in 1969, and went on to become Washington State Dairy family of the year. Pete leaves his children, Judy (David) Sterling, Jim (Linda) Poortinga, Laurie (Jim) Munneke and Rick (Michele) Poortinga. He also leaves his grandchildren, Nicki (Scott) Girard, Brian (Wendy) Hoskins, Heather (Chris) Covey, Heidi (Collin) Meijer, Carrie (Josh) Morrill, Melissa (Isaac) George, Kristen (Eric) Briscoe, Eric Munneke, David Poortinga, Grady and Kyle Poortinga; his great-grandchildren, Michael, Joe and Katie Hoskins, Sadie and Colton Meijer, Ethan, Marcus and Abby Morrill, Gavin George, and Landon Briscoe. He also leaves sister-in-laws, Ruth Kruick and Carol Foss; and several nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank the staff at Cascade Valley Hospital, Providence Hospital, Regency of Arlington, and Olympic Place. They "treated me like gold." Viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery from 3-7 p.m. A celebration of Pete's life will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Cascade Christian Reformed Church in Marysville, Washington. If desired, memorial gifts can be given to Christian Reformed World Relief Committee; (World RENEW) or the New Building Fund at Cascade Christian Reformed Church.


Published by The Herald (Everett) from Mar. 23 to Mar. 26, 2014.
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Dear Poortinga family,
Our families go back to 1977 when we moved to Arlington. It was wonderful seeing Pete last summer at my Dad's 80th birthday party (just days before Pete's 90th birthday). He was as sharp as ever and quick witted. Always smiling and friendly. We all commented on how amazing he was at that age. I'm so sorry that I could not attend his home going service. I really enjoyed all the photos you posted on this site. That recent photo is classic Pete! Mom and Dad enjoyed visiting with Pete. He will always be remembered and missed until we see him and Aileen in heaven (she was such a lovely lady too).
Blessings to you,
Leona (Sinnema) Starks

April 4, 2014

I have so many wonderful memories of being at Uncle Pete and Aunt Ailene's home as we were growing up. He always took time to make us kids feel welcome and special. I will always remember his pipe and his humor - always a chuckle on his lips! Prayers for my cousins and families.

Sharon (Foss) Gerchak

April 2, 2014

We were so sorry to read of Pete's passing.We were neighbors in the 1940's and he was a good friend of my folks, the Grahams ever since. After Dad retired from dairy farming, we use to buy calves from Pete. It is hard to loose our parents. Dale and Elaine (Graham) Wilson

March 31, 2014

Our sympathies to the family. We remember and loved our stay four years ago. The stories, the laughs and the 'soep met balletjes'. Hessel Jensma and family. Holwerd (The Netherlands)

Hessel Jensma

March 26, 2014

Kollum March 26 2014

Our sympathies to you family in the loss of your father Peter Poortinga.
We meet your parents several times when they came to the Netherlands and visit our farm (where your granddad was living)
In 1999 we visit your parents and we have very good remembers to that time.
We are thinking of you.

Auke and Teatske Poortinga

March 26, 2014

I will always remember the many birthdays, New Year's Day olie bollen and the game nights our parents would get together. Will be missed

Marie Bollema Costello

March 25, 2014

Mr. Poortinga was and amazing guy. Loved his stories and his laugh. We all will miss him stopping by the shop. Please know that we are all thinking of you . So sorry for your loss.

Bud Barton's Glass Fred Thompson & Crew

March 25, 2014

Our sympathies to you family in the loss of your father. My dad worked for your dad shortly after arriving in the United States from Holland. The year was 1949, and he learned many things from your dad about living life in America. Your parents were instrumental in guiding them to the church they attended for most of their adult lives.(Monroe Faith Comm. CRC) My mom tells the story of how your mom volunteered to interpret for her in the hospital when my oldest brother Dan was born.Unfortunately she was not home when mom went into labor, but after the baby was born she was a big help!
Our parents always kept in touch, and attended each others milestone events. It was a beautiful friendship that lasted a lifetime.
My dad passed away in 2002. My mom sends her sympathies. She is 93, and resides in Prairie View Living in Sanborn, Iowa, where my brother Harv, and sister Frieda have dairies in the area.
May your memories bring you joy and comfort at this time!

Geraldine VanEss Smeenk

March 25, 2014

So sorry to hear about the passing of Pete my prayers and thoughts go out to the family.

Lynda Meadows

March 24, 2014

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

March 24, 2014

Dear family, i want to thank God for the opportunity i had to fellowship with Pete at the Board Meetings in the dining room at Regency Care Center. He spoke of his wife very often and i know he is happy to be reunited with her. It was my real priviledge to know Pete and his loving family.

Bill Kielty

March 24, 2014

Some words that come to mind when we think of your dad and grandpa and great grandpa are: jovial, welcoming, caring, devoted, boisterous, steadfast, faithful, and real. We can lovingly say that there will only ever be one “Pete” and he will be missed. We extend our sincere sympathy to each of you for that empty spot he so proudly occupied in your lives. And like you, we know that God's timing is perfect and Pete arrived joyfully and on schedule to the mansion that was prepared for him. May you feel God's comforting presence in these days and the weeks and months ahead.

Dave & Ginny Boersema

March 23, 2014

To the whole family, I am so sorry to hear about the lost of Pete. I lost my parents a few years ago. My parents always liked your parents. Daddy would always talk about seeing Pete at the Marysville Livestock Auction on Tuesdays. We rented pasture to Pete many moons ago in Kellogg Marsh and of course I remember you kids. Hugs to the whole family...Pete was a wonderful man.

Carol Lindahl Page

March 23, 2014

So sorry to read of Pete's passing. He and Ailene were very special people. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Poortinga family.
Lisa Dunbar
Citizens Bank/Frontier Bank

March 23, 2014

My condolences to your family. I pray that the Lord will provide you strength during this time. It is always reassuring to know as Christians that your mom and dad are now reunited in His Heaven eternally. My mom, Grace (DeRooy) Spillman Verhoeven knew your folks well in the Everett Christian Reformed Church. May
God Bless and Keep you in His Everlasting Love and Grace.

Tracy Spillman

March 23, 2014

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