CLARENCE ROZEMA Obituary
On Monday, May 3, 2021, Clarence Dirk Rozema, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, and went to be with Jesus.
Clarence was born in Bedum, Netherlands in 1943, to Alle and Anna Rozema. Clarence immigrated with his family to the Skagit Valley. He attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon and graduated from LaConner High School.
At Emmanuel, he met Barbara Jon Connell of Mount Vernon and they married in 1966. Clarence and Barbara made their home in Bay View near the family boat business, where they worked together and raised their three children: Dirk, Jason, and Nate.
Following his father's death in 1979, Clarence found himself in charge of the family business. Already a respected yard known for wooden seine skiffs and small aluminum boats, Clarence guided Rozema Boat Works through its next phase of operations, building larger vessels used throughout Alaska and beyond.
Clarence was dedicated to his customers and his employees and enjoyed tackling projects of all types.
Clarence is remembered by his family as a man who devoted his life to God, family, and work. Clarence worked hard and found meaning in making things with his hands.
A constant teacher and problem-solver, he passed on to his boys the skills he acquired over his lifetime and the pragmatic can-do-optimism he lived by.
Central to Clarence's life was his belief in Jesus Christ and the significance of having a personal relationship. Often with tears in his eyes, he would speak passionately about Jesus and the need for personal salvation.
As his health failed him, Clarence took comfort in knowing that he had a home with Jesus ahead of him. "I'm ready to go," he'd often say.
Clarence is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Fred Rozema of Mount Vernon.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Rozema; his sons and their families: Dirk and Jenny Rozema and children Ben and Ruthanna; Jason and Benita Rozema and children Sailor, Summer, Noah, and Jonah; Nate and Erin Rozema and children Owen and Ezra and his sisters Anna Gordon (Bill, deceased) of Mount Vernon and Dena Fisher (Sam) of Idaho.
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.
Published by Skagit Valley Herald from May 7 to May 8, 2021.