Bert DeKriek

Bert DeKriek, age 92 of Lynden, was taken home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, Oct. 20, at St, Joseph Hospital.
Born in Allison Township, Iowa on November 25, 1918, he was the son of John and Lucy (Teune) DeKriek. He grew up in Iowa and during World War II served with the US Army in the South Pacific. On September 4, 1945 he married Harriet 'Tiny' Tiemeyer in Bellflower, CA. In 1967 they moved their family to Whatcom County where he was employed as a driver for Albers Milling in Bellingham. In 1977 they returned to California and then back to the county in 1987 when he retired.
Bert was a member of the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church; the Teamsters Union in both California and Washington and enjoyed visiting and having coffee with his friends at the Fairway Café.
Mr. DeKriek was preceded in death by his wife Harriet in 1990 and daughter Debra Dodson in 2006. He is survived by his children John (Phyllis) DeKriek of Cerritos, CA, Peter and Bill DeKriek of Lynden, Lori (Leighton) Smith of Upland, CA and Marie Humphrey of Nooksack; son-in-law Martin Dodson of Deming; thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; sister Berdina Van Doorn of Lynden and other relatives.
Visitation hours will be from 4 to 6 pm on Monday, Oct. 24, at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Oct 25 at 1 p.m. in the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church with Rev. Chuck Kleinhesselink officiating. Private interment will be in Monumenta Cemetery.
Memorials in Bert's name may be made to the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church, 606 E. 2nd St., Nooksack, WA 98276.
You are invited to share your memories and extend your condolences by signing the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care of
Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation services of Lynden