Lou Ella M. Niekerk

Lou Ella Mae Niekerk passed away in Vancouver, WA on May 8, 2012 at the age of 76.

She was born in Los Angeles, CA on September 12, 1935. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Harrison and
Virginia Turnbull. She graduated from Downey Union High School, in Downey, CA in 1953. In 1954 she married Harry Niekerk of The Hague, The Netherlands. Together they had three sons, David, Gary and Brian.

In 1973 she graduated from California State University Fullerton with a B.A. in Sociology. The family lived in Chino, CA
for many years, and her sons attended school there from kindergarten to high school graduation. She worked for many
years as a counselor at San Bernardino County Juvinile Hall.

She loved sports and was very athletic. She encouraged her sons to be student athletes, all three earned Masters degrees and played intercollegiate sports.

In 1975 Lou Ella was divorced. In 1990 she moved to Vancouver, WA in a Volkswagon Bus with three large dogs, Angel, Bear and Mattie.

She is survived by her loving partner, Charlotte Kemp, her sons David (Elaina) Niekerk of Bothell, WA, Gary (Carol) Niekerk of Tempe, AZ and Brian (Marie) Niekerk of Kingston, TN; her sisters Penny (Midge) Fox of Joshua Tree, CA and Roberta (John) Ray of Butte, MT, and four grandchildren. Lou Ella was preceeded in death by her sister Donna Cobb.

At her request, there will be no funeral services.

Arrangements under the care of Davies Cremation & Burial Services, Vancouver, WA.