Obituary

Fran Wyngaert, 94, passed away on June 23, 2022, in Lynden, Washington.

Fran was born at the family home in Lynden to Harold and Sena Weidkamp on March 4, 1928. She graduated from Lynden High School and later moved to Ferndale after marrying Kenneth Riley in 1947. While together they had three children; Renee, Greg and Joene, while living in Ferndale.

Fran married Ed Wyngaert on November 11, 1964, in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and they had two children: Joe and Jeff.

She worked in downtown Ferndale as a dental assistant for Dr. Nelson and Dr. Dahl. Fran was also a devout member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ferndale where she attended mass regularly and was also a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Guild.

Fran also experienced living in different parts of the world in the 1960’s and early 70’s, depending on where Ed was based with the U.S. Army, including Panama, Georgia, West Germany and Baltimore. While living in Germany the family enjoyed traveling throughout Western Europe, seeing many sites and enjoying the local food and culture.

Ed and Fran moved back to the US in early 70’s and bought acreage from Ed’s parents on the Elder Road, where they built a house. Later they moved to Sandy Point and enjoyed fishing, crabbing and exploring the San Juan Islands. After Ed passed away in 1998 Fran eventually moved back to Elder Rd. and spent her final two years at Meadow Greens in Lynden.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband Ed Wyngaert who passed away on November 23, 1998, as well as her daughter Joene (Larry) Steele of Hopedale, IL and stepdaughter Karen Pennington of Worland, WY.

Fran is survived by 4 siblings: Dorothy Loney of Lynden, WA, Violet Webb of White Oak, TX, Geneva Wilson of Custer, WA and Dan Weidkamp of Everson, WA. She was preceded in death by brothers Ted Weidkamp, John Weidkamp and Nick Weidkamp.

Fran is also remembered by her 5 children: Renee (Larry) Arko of Ferndale, WA, Greg (Vicki) Riley of Kent, WA, Joe (Tina) Wyngaert of Ferndale, WA and Jeff Wyngaert of San Diego, CA. She is also survived by her stepson Michael Wyngaert of Dunnellon, FL.

She is survived by 7 grandchildren: Chad (Jenn) Arko of Tumwater, WA, Erin (Keith) Weaver of Hopedale, IL, Jeff (Leeah)Riley of Puyallup, WA, Tim Riley of Kent, WA, Joey Wyngaert of Ferndale, WA, Trystan Saab of Ferndale, WA and Tucker Saab of Camp Pendleton, CA. Fran also had 5 greatgrandchildren.