Gene Mulder

August 03, 1931 - October 02, 2015

Gene Mulder

August 03, 1931 - October 02, 2015

Obituary

Samuel Eugene Mulder (Gene) of Ferndale, Washington, was surrounded by family and close friends as he passed away on October 2, 2015, under care of hospice at Hospice House, Bellingham. When he learned two days before his death that cancer had returned and the treatment was no longer working, after consulting with his children Mike and Janet he approached his final hours with dignity, humor and even relief as he anticipated the end to his suffering, being with the Lord and seeing his family and friends who preceded him in death. 
Gene was the first of six children born to Sam and Elizabeth Mulder, on August 3, 1931, in Racine, Wisconsin. Early in his childhood his father packed up Elizabeth and the six kids in their car with all their belongings and headed for Florida in search of better opportunities. A few years later, after getting wind of employment out west, the family would eventually settle on Casino road in Everett, Washington. Gene became part of Beverly Park Church where at sixteen years of age he made a life-changing decision to follow Christ. Gene was known as a leader throughout his life, and remained committed as devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, neighbor, church elder, friend and fair-dealing businessman. His enduring legacy to this world will be his unwavering faith in Christ, his steadfast commitment to his family and church, and both his shrewdness and his fairness in all business dealings.
After finishing a grade eight education, Gene worked a number of jobs to help support his family. He later worked in forest-related jobs until he landed employment at Scott Paper company, where he was noted for both his work ethic and his aptitude for mathematics.  On November 18, 1950, Gene married Mildred Louise Miers (Millie), and settled into their home on 1314 Casino Road.  Soon thereafter he was drafted for a period of two years into the army and shipped overseas to serve in the Korean War as heavy equipment operator.  In short order Gene’s leadership skills and natural authority promoted him up the ranks to sergeant, where he got the taste of being in charge of men much older and experienced than himself.  
Back home after serving his term, Gene went back to night school, taking a bookkeeping course that he would later credit with equipping him for a life in business.  Over a period of years Gene moved from log scaler to log buyer for Scott Paper, a tactical shift that would ultimately prepare him for an enormous advancement when a Vancouver-based firm, Cattermole-Trethewey Contracting came knocking on Scott Paper’s door in search of promising talent to lead their timber selling division.  Gene’s mentor and boss at Scott Paper,  George Smith, advised Gene to consider moving his family north and after prayerful consideration Gene and Millie and Mike and Janet moved to Tsawwassen, British Columbia, a bedroom community within a thirty minute commute to Vancouver.
Gene was thirty-two years old when he came to Cattermole-Trethewey where he was thrust into a situation of being boss to many people, most of whom were older than himself.  After a good run of years, Cattermole-Trethewey underwent a re-structuring which resulted in Gene forming his own timber trading company and working from his house in Tsawwassen.  Soon thereafter Gene was joined by Ken Hancock, who with his banking background assisted Gene in trading timber with Japanese clients and others, loading log ships and scouting rafts of logs up and down the B.C. coast.  All in all, Gene made 31 trips to Japan, many of which were accompanied by Millie and spoken of with great fondness for years to come, particularly with regards to the hospitality and respect of the Japanese people.
All of this time Gene remained committed to his local church, which in Tsawwassen was South Delta Baptist, where he and Millie formed lifelong friendships with other young couples who were also raising children at the time.  
The spotted owl issue virtually took down the timber industry in British Columbia, and so by the late seventies Gene and Millie once again ventured south over the border, this time settling in the county outside of Ferndale, Washington, on a 40 acre piece of land that became Gene and Millie’s sanctuary until now.  Millie found a gorgeous piece of land that had an old farmhouse on it, which the couple remodeled into the home that stands today.  They joined Sunrise Baptist Church on Badger Road, where they made many friends.  Gene’s activities on behalf of the church were broad and diverse.  He and Millie were youth sponsors; Gene often taught Sunday School; when new couples would come to church for the first time, it was not uncommon for Gene and Millie to invite them out for lunch after the service.  Gene’s love for the people of the church was deep and lasting – up until the time of his death of his death he referred to many of the young people as his kids. Gene deemed it an honor to be considered as a mentor to the young men who were coming up as leaders.  The backbone of Gene and Millie’s church life, as Gene would say, was the home Bible studies they conducted in their house for over two decades.  It was here they saw firsthand the profound impact of the teachings of Christ on the lives of a cross-section of people, not to leave out the great recipes that Millie picked up from the many new friends she and Gene met at those weekly gatherings.
Not to be overlooked was Gene’s notion of stewardship.  A charitable giver his entire life, he would nevertheless credit Millie with ensuring that ten percent of his paycheck would make it into the offering plate at his church.  Gene would later note that his faithfulness in this area was on more than one occasion followed by a raise in his salary.
Although active in business right up to the end, Gene never lost his love of nature.  His 40 acre farm had ample walking trails and various types of vegetation to keep him interested, and when that needed mixing up Gene would love to take a mere three-hour jaunt over the mountains to Winthrop or elsewhere – following the road wherever it would lead him.  To celebrate one birthday, Mike drove Gene east over the mountains and then north to Osoyoos, B.C. only to stop for supper and immediately return – an eighteen hour excursion.  On his eightieth birthday, Virgil and Cheetah Stremler loaded up their horse trailers with food and pack horses and together with hikers – eighteen in all, riders and hikers combined – the crew ventured over Rainy Pass and into Steheken on the shores of Lake Chelan.  It was a spectacular three-day jaunt that left Gene and Virgil dreaming of future adventures of the same kind.
Gene’s love of family is obvious by the many relatives who lovingly refer to him as “Uncle Gene.” He loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his children, grand and great-grand-children, siblings and nephews and nieces.  He loved his family gatherings at the farm or beach cabin, anywhere, just so family was together for a while.
Those who remain to cherish Gene’s memory are his wife of sixty-five years, Millie; two children, Mike (Deanna) Mulder of Custer, Janet (Mario) Ramirez of Lynden; Faye Mulder, mother of his three grand-daughters; four grandchildren, Jacob (Molly) Mulder of Lynden, Tessa (Jesse) Penner of Langley B.C., Bailey (Johnny) Forward of Langley B.C., and Michaela Mulder of Langley, B.C.; three great-grandchildren, twins Emerson and Davie Forward, and Paige Penner; three sisters, Helen Bergstrom, Shirley Morehouse and Betty Struve.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Jim Mulder and his sister Joanne Sahlin.
A graveside service will be held on Friday October 16, 3:00pm at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale. A Celebration of Gene’s Life will take place on Saturday October 17, 2:00pm at Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Burn Children Recovery Foundation or New Vision Soccer.

Celebration Of Life

  • Date & Time: January 1, 1970 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Seiamhoo Resort
  • Location: 9565 Semiamhoo Pkwy Blaine, WA 98230 - (Get Directions)

Graveside Service

  • Date & Time: October 16, 2015 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Enterprise Cemetery
  • Location: 7041 Vista Drive Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)

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7 responses to Gene Mulder

  1. Bob Fraser says:

    Millie, Mike and Janet;I so appreciated the celebration of Gene’s life and of the Light within him.
    I will miss him very much. You know for a number of years before I even met Gene, I had heard about Gene from his friends and business associates. Guys like Virgil, Dale, Gary and Andy; the stories I heard were of an unusual man who walked the talk and was an authentic Christian man. I was skeptical however, guys like that are rare.

    About five years ago I finally got a chance to meet Gene. I find myself then being one of his newer friends and mentees, but no less appreciative for the impact he has had on my life. I know from the celebration that there are a number of men and women who also count themselves fortunate to have been Gene’s friend or “kid”.

    When I met Gene and became part of MNO, we had opportunity to play some golf, work on MNO and share the occasional meal. So we spent some time together and I can say without hesitation that Gene was much more than a man who walked the talk. As rare as that is. No, he was even a rarer type guy. He was a man who was an encourager, exhorter and inspired change in me. He really expected greatness in me and others. I saw his impact on the lives of other men around me and so my story is not unique and from the celebration stories shared I can see that he impacted many lives.

    I will miss Gene, but he left behind with me some lasting lessons in how to live well in HIM. Few men in my life have inspired me so well as he did.

  2. CJ says:

    To The Family, I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. I also want to share the comfort of John 5:28,29 where we are promised that those who have fallen asleep in death have the hope of receiving a “resurrection” back to life. Life on an earth restored to a beautiful paradise. Psalms 37:11 says, “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” While we await that wonderful time please find comfort in these promises. www.JW.org

  3. Al Jansen says:

    Gene Mulder;
    Gene’s wisdon, integrity, day humor and business expertise has been a ongoing inspiration to me. Gene will always be with us in bountiful memories~

    Al Jansen

  4. Uncle Gene…Your smile would light up the room, and you always made each of us feel like you were so happy to see us…You’ve been a “Rock” in this family and you will be so missed. I personally will miss your stories, (History of our family really) and your chuckle….Love you, “Kimmie”

  5. Russ Wilson says:

    Dear Millie and family,So sorry to hear about Gene’s passing. I don’t get the paper, and nobody from my old firm, Moss Adams, thought to contact me, so unfortunately I missed the service. I can only imagine what a glory and witness that his remembrance must have been.

    I worked with Gene as his outside CPA for over twenty years. I so enjoyed his steady and calm approach and personality. He was by far my best referral source, referring me many new clients over the years. With Gene in your camp, it was hard to lose. He was one of the most “other-centered” people I every met. While business was a passion, his love for the Lord was clearly his foundation. Now he’s home, and we will all get to visit him soon enough.

    I pray strength and comfort for you Millie. God bless you and your family.
    Russ Wilson, CPA, former Managing Partner of Moss Adams, Bellingham.

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