Harriet Lautenbach

Henrietta R. Lautenbach (Harriet) was born on August 13, 1943 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Herman and Trudy Van Weerdhuizen (Dompeling). She attended the Yssel Christian School for 3 years and then immigrated with her parents and 4 siblings (three more would come later) in August, 1952. Traveling by boat, the Zuider Kruis leased by the Holland America Line, for 7 days from Rotterdam to the New York Harbor, passed Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The family then boarded a Greyhound bus and traveled for 5 days to Bellingham WA, with a final destination of Lynden.

She celebrated her 9th birthday during this trip. Within 2 weeks she started the 4th grade at Lynden Christian with only the English words of Yes and No in her vocabulary. She also attended Sumas Christian School for years and then graduated from Lynden Christian with the class of 1961. She became a US citizen in 1962, along with her grandmother Jennie Van Weerdhuizen. She worked during the summer picking strawberries, raspberries, and beans & also worked at the Christian Rest Home.

In February of 1963, she married Sy Lautenbach and together they moved to their farm on the Telegraph Road in Everson where they milked a herd of Registered cows under the name of Win-Fran Holsteins. She helped with milking chores and also the field work. It was here that they raised their family, Sandy, DL, and Dean. They retired from milking in 1996 and then had a heifer raising operation. They retired from that in 2016 and moved to Nooksack, a place and neighborhood she loved.

In 1969, she began her career as bus driver for the Sumas Christian School. When the school closed in 1973, she soon found herself behind the steering wheel of a Lynden Christian Bus, where she drove the Sumas route for 18 years until retirement in 2009. Harriet was a strong advocate for Christian education and she found many ways to volunteer for LC and worked at Second Chance for many years. She also worked retail for 2 Lynden stores, Gunne Sax and Jeans and The New Crescent.

A devout Christian, she was a member of the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School classes and was involved in the Women's Ministry. It was through this ministry that she became involved in the Mission Programs both locally and on the Board for the Reformed Church denomination in their Mission Program and Women's Ministry. She became the coordinator for mission trips throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Her motto...Reaching out with encouragement, to those who least expect it but need it the most. Her scripture verse was from Psalm 62:8 – "Trust in Him at all times."

Her family was her pride and joy. She loved being involved with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cheered from the sidelines that included sports, academics and achievements, celebrating birthdays, and football and baseball games in the yard. Her greatest joy was Sunday dinners and having family around the table, which she could expand to fit everyone. She loved sharing time with her siblings and friends. Yard work, baking, and cooking were her passions, and she always shared with her family, friends, and neighbors. She also enjoyed traveling and had visited 38 US states, Canada, many trips to the Netherlands, and going on cruises.

She is survived by her daughter Sandy and Steve VanDer Vliet. Two sons: Dennis(DL) and Randi Lautenbach and Dean and Jennifer Lautenbach. Grandchildren: Emily and Darrin Van Weerdhuizen, Brendon and Melinda VanDer Vliet, Luke and Brittney VanDer Vliet, Kieran and Kobi Willis, Kase and Amaya Lautenbach, Jake, Max, Sy Lautenbach. Great-grandchildren: Aleks, Eli, Olivia Van Weerdhuizen, Maddy & Tayte VanDer Vliet, Shelby, Finley, Owen VanDer Vliet, Ace Lautenbach, and newest little one,

Harlyn Willis. Her sisters Jane and Chuck Zuverink, and Femmie and Dale Rutgers. Her brothers: Gerrit and Donna Van Weerdhuizen, Herm and Cindy Van Weerdhuizen, Carl and Gayle Van Weerdhuizen, and sister-in-law Sharon VanWeerdhuizen, also in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces, close friends, and classmates.

Harriet was preceded by her parents, husband Sy, brothers Pete Van Weerdhuizen, Arie and his wife Mary VanWeerdhuizen.

Memorial services will be held at the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 @ 2 pm with Pastor Kevin Bailey and Pastor John Haas officiating. Private family burial will precede at Nooksack Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Nooksack Valley Reformed Church for their Mission Programs, enabling others to go on a Mission trip and/or Words of Hope, a ministry that Sy and Harriet supported for many years.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.