Harry Arthur Smit

Harry Smit went home to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Harry was born to Peter and Hilda (Zylstra) Smit on November 21, 1929 in Columbus, Montana. When he was seven, he moved to Brooten, Minnesota where he attended school through the 8th grade until he was needed on the family farm. On April 14, 1954, he married Bertha TeVelde. Three months later Harry was drafted into the army where he served in Germany from 1954-1956. In 1961, he moved his family to Lynden, WA. After renting farms, he purchased a dairy in 1967 on Northwest Road with his brother, John. This is where he farmed until his death. Harry enjoyed working hard and planting and harvesting his crops. He dearly loved his family and loved spending time with each one of them. One of his favorite pastimes was going to the Everson Auction Barn to meet his farm friends. Harry was a charter member of Grace Covenant Reformed Church in Lynden. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Bertha; his dear children Cynthia (Rick) Hilt, Rachel (Dave) Vinke, Harvey (Diane) Smit, Peter (Linda) Smit, Paul Smit and Andrew Smit, all of Ferndale, WA. Beloved grandchildren: Scott, Kate, Peter, Jessy, Abigail, Starla, April, Lucas, David, Summer, Angela, Samuel, Matthew, Jacob and Paul; three great-grandchildren: Stella, Emerson and Lukas; brother, John and sister, Emma Gibson; sister-in-law Revah Smit; brothers-in-law John (Elsie) TeVelde, Con (Carol) TeVelde; sisters-in-law Bernie Ras, Joey Hoogeterp, Nellie TeVelde, Gertrude Bothof and Elaine TeVelde. Harry was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, George and Harold. Visitation hours will be Thursday, January 19, 4 to 7 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, January 20, 10 am at Monumenta Cemetery followed by an 11 am memorial service at Mountain View Christian Reformed Church, 6678 Old Guide Road, Lynden. Memorials are suggested to: Starfish Ministries, 1706 Front St. #440, Lynden, WA 98264 or The Lighthouse Mission, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227.