John Buzz Kroontje

John (Buzz) Merlin Kroontje, age 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 25, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born at home on November 13, 1932, the youngest of 6 children born to John and Effie (Radder) Kroontje. He grew up working on the family farm in Everson, raising pole beans and milking cows. A child of the Depression era, he learned to love the simple pleasures in life and the values of faith and family. As a boy, he followed the progress of his older brother Milton’s army unit across Europe and developed a lifelong interest in WWII history. He graduated with honors from Nooksack Valley High School in 1950. He met the love of his life, Hilda Buma in 1951. He served in the US Army for 2 years during the Korean War at Hanford Atomic Research Facility. After being discharged, Buzz and Hilda were married in the Everson Christian Reformed Church on April 29, 1955. They were blessed with five children. Buzz raised them to love the Lord and the beauty of Whatcom County with its many mountains, streams and wildlife. He worked many years for Morse Steel of Bellingham. He is survived by his wife Hilda, daughter Susan and husband Grant (Bud) Van Dyk, their children, Tarelle and husband, Josh Osborn, Landon and wife Becky, and Kohlson and fiancé Courtney Oostra; son Tom and wife Dawn (Lupkes) and their children, Carson and Libby; son John and wife Lesa (Starkenburg) and their children, Lillian, William (Liam), John (Jake), Fiona, Emmanuelle, Grace, Viola, and Thijs; son Grant and his wife Julie (Baron), his children Brent, Sarah, Josiah, and Steven, and Julie’s children Ben and Katie Bedient; son Maury and wife Gerri (Cerna) and their children, Kara and Owen; five great-grandchildren, Rocklyn and Canyon Osborn and Hale, Zetta, and Merritt Van Dyk; sister Audrey Cyr, sister-in-laws, Grace Westra and husband Ray, Ann Westra and husband John, Liz Roosendaal, and Rosey Rosette and husband Rollin, brother-in-law Pete Blankers and wife Gigi, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Boerhave, Jean Larson, Mildred Washburn, brother Milton, and granddaughter Stephanie Rose Kroontje. Buzz cherished his wife, his children, and extended family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with them around a campfire, hiking, hunting, fishing and exploring God’s creation. He loved music, particularly the piano. He had a great love for English Setters and was known for his kindness to both people and animals. He was a member of Victory Christian Fellowship Church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Memorials may be made to Victory Christian Fellowship or Hospice of Whatcom County. Services are planned for Friday, January 30, 2015. A family burial service will be held at 3pm followed by a memorial service at 4:30 pm, Victory Christian Fellowship, 205 BC Avenue, Lynden.

John Buzz Kroontje

November 13, 1932 - January 25, 2015