John Berendsen

1955 - 2021

John Berendsen
March 18, 1955 - September 20, 2021
Lynden, Washington - John Berendsen passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20, 2021 at his home in Lynden, WA with his family by his side. He battled Cholangio Carcinoma (a bile duct cancer) for over 2 1/2 years.
John was born March 18, 1955 in Bellingham, WA to Hank and Augustina (Van Zanten) Berendsen. John graduated from Lynden Christian School in 1973 and Bellingham Technical College in 1975 in diesel mechanics.
He married Jennie DeJager on July 25, 1980 and in their 41 years of marriage had three children.
John started working for Vander Pol & Maas in 1978, where he eventually purchased the company and was owner for the past 31 years.
John was a lifetime member of First Christian Reformed Church where he was a former deacon and elder. John had a strong work ethic and in his spare time loved to golf. He had a lot of fun times with his golfing buddies. He was a man of few words and lead by example.
John was preceded in death by his parents Hank and Gussie Berendsen and his mother-in-law Pat DeJager.
He is survived by his wife Jennie, children Matthew (Becki) Berendsen, Brently (Chelsea) Berendsen, and Kristin (Samuel) Kooiman; nine grandchildren Christopher, Jacob, Caleb, Nicole, Brielle, Brinley, Bayla, Hank, and Ryder; siblings August (Dee) Berendsen, Charles (Peggy) Berendsen, Jane (Galen) Eshuis, and Barry (Kathryn) Berendsen; in-laws Durk (Patty) DeJager, Pete (Shelly) DeJager, Alice (Glenn) Dykstra, Marge (Steve) Roberts, Mark (Kathleen) DeJager, and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Memorials can be made to First Christian Reformed Church or Lynden Christian Schools.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 23rd from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside will be at Monumenta Cemetery on Friday, September 24th at 2 p.m. followed by the memorial service at First Christian Reformed Church at 3 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.