Jan van Zuylen
1924 - 2011
Jan van Zuylen
1924 - 2011
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1924
DIED
2011
Jan Zuylen Obituary
*Dec. 23, 1924 Padang, Sumatra, Dutch East Indies
+ Jan. 3, 2011 Centralia, Washington
Born in present day Indonesia, Jan moved to Amsterdam, The Netherlands as a child.
During World War II he helped with various underground and resistance activities.
On Feb. 20, 1954 he married Hetty Moormann. Four children were born in Holland: Walter, Ronald, and Marcel; one child, Ferdinand, died in infancy.
He worked as a Dutch merchant marine officer and then at Royal Dutch Shell near Rotterdam.
Seeking a better life than what post-war Holland could offer, the family immigrated to the Pacific Northwest in July, 1962, settling first in the Portland area. After becoming proficient in English he was hired by Pacific Power & Light, and worked in Portland, Albany, and Springfield in Oregon until moving to Centralia and working at the steam plant from which he retired in 1990.
Two additional children were born in the USA: Glenn and Gail.
The family proudly became American citizens on July 14, 1969.
He was a member of St. Joseph and St Mary parishes.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Claddagh House and Best Quality Home Care where he spent his last two years.
Surviving are his children and their spouses and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his youngest brother Cornelis in Holland.
A requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary in Centralia preceded by recitation of the rosary at 10:30 am on Monday, January 10. Reception after the Mass in St. Mary parish hall, followed by burial at Claquato Cemetery.
Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com/chronline
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Steve & Diane Fitzhugh
January 11, 2011
DDG,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all your brothers.
Susan Wilber
January 10, 2011
Dear Gail and family,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. I enjoyed working with you at Providence Hospital when you were finishing high school.
January 10, 2011
What an outstanding citizen he was, and what an amazing life he led.
Gail, we are keeping you and your family in thought and prayer.
Heinz and Sue Miller-Schlipf (Seoul, South Korea)
January 9, 2011
Beste familie,
Eens komt het onvermijdelijke...
Wij wensen jullie veel troost met het verlies van jullie vader, schoonvader en opa.
Dag oom Jan,
Robbert van Zuylen, Nederland
Marianne, Erik (17) en Iris (16)
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Jay Skaluba
January 8, 2011
Dear Gail and Van Zuylen family...I am so very sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all at this time. The past few months have been difficult for you all. I felt touched reading the heartfelt tribute to your dad and also the other entries in the Guest Book. Please know that you will be in my thoughts on Monday.
Joanne Friedman
January 8, 2011
My husband, George Friedman, went through training at the Steam Plant with Jan and they got to know each other well and became good friends. Our sympathy goes to the Van Zuylen family. We have fond memories of Jan and Hattie.
Wendy van Velden-van Zuylen
January 8, 2011
Dear family van Zuylen overseas. You all have our deepest sympathy in the passing of Jan (father, grandfather, brother, uncle. We wish you all the strengths for the coming days.
Wendy van Velden-van Zuylen & Nico van Velden
Wendy van Velden-van Zuylen
January 8, 2011
Dear family van Zuylen , you all have our deepest condelences in the passing of your dad and grandfather. We wish you a lot of strenght for the next days. Wendy van Velden-van Zuylen and Nico van Velden
Kristine Willson
January 7, 2011
My sympathy goes out to the van Zuylen family, especially Gail and Marcel, who I know from school, for the loss of both parents within a short time of each other .
Maria Johnson
January 7, 2011
I had the pleasure of being one of Jan's caregivers in his last few years. He always loved his daily visits with his daughter, Gail, and always laughed and smiled with her. I always wondered what they were saying in Dutch to each other. They were so cute together!
Karen Forrest
January 7, 2011
Dear Marcel,
You have my deepest sympathy in the passing of "Your Dear Dad". I know your dad must of been a wonderful person, as he raised a son like you! I too have lost my dad and know it is always difficult to lose a dad no matter what your age is. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you and my heart and prayers go out to you and your family! Love & Prayers Karen & Jim Forrest (Safeway friend)
Lynn Yamamoto
January 7, 2011
My sincerest condolences to the van Zuylen family, especially to my friend Gail who will surely miss her Pop. He looked forward to her daily visits and especially on the weekends when he was able to go to McDonald's for his usual Filet of Fish Sandwich and Milk Shake picnic at the park and the drive around the neighborhood. Will see you all on Monday.
Sun Gil Kim
January 6, 2011
I always felt at home with Jan and Hetty (know to me as Mr and Mrs van Zuylen). I will miss them, both. My dad, who worked with Jan at the Steam Plant is also sad to hear of his passing.
I grew up with my dad often asking if Jan was working lots of overtime and how old he was. Yes, lots of overtime and they were the same age. The van Zuylens home always felt like a second home to me, growing up. I will miss them, both.
Love, Sun Gil, Susan, Stephanie, Harrison, & Lauren Kim
Gehrman Family
January 6, 2011
To Gail and Walter to whom I see most. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know how well you both took care of your dad. Long visit and milk shakes, I am sure you will never forget. In losing my dad I know that Jan knew you were there for him in the end. Thinking of you.
Robert Manicke
January 6, 2011
Dear van Zuylen family, I'm sorry to hear of Jan's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Robert & Michelle Manicke and kids
Mike Imboden
January 6, 2011
I knew Jan at the Steam Plant. He was always interesting to speak with.
My condolences to friends and the family.
Mike Imboden
Marcel van Zuylen
January 6, 2011
Surviving Daughter-in-laws and Grandchildren include:
Charlotte van Zuylen of Seattle -Daughter in law
Donna van Zuylen of Seattle
-Daughter in law
Grand-kids:
Monique van Zuylen
Alex van Zuylen
Maja van Zuylen
Madeleine van Zuylen
Isabella van Zuylen
all of Seattle Washington
Vincent van Zuylen
Nicholas van Zuylen
of Lancaster, California
Opa was quite fond and proud of his large extended family and love to tease and flirt with the kids. Great memories to cherish.
Rust Zacht Opa!
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