In Memory of Great Grandpa Van Dalen

John H. Van Dalen, age 89, of Lynden, went to be with his Lord on Wed. March 14, 2007. Born and baptized, Jan Hendrick Van Dalen, on Oct. 18, 1917 in Bejou, MN in Mahnomen County to John and Anna (Jansen) Van Dalen, he moved with his family to Lynden, via Canadian Pacific Railroad, in November of 1925. John attended Lynden Christian Schools through the 9th grade. On Aug. 7, 1941, he married Bernice G. Visser in Lynden. In 1946, John and Bernice began dairy farming on the Axling Road and later purchased a 160 acre farm on the Pangborn Road. John was a member of Faith Reformed Church, where he also served as a deacon.
Preceded in death by his son, Alvin, in 2006, and six sisters, John is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Bernice; children, Bonita “Bonnie” Lyon of Bellingham; Mick (Jeannie) Van Dalen of Lynden; John, Jr. (Sharon) Van Dalen of Ferndale; Pat (Jim) Elsbree of Pt. Angeles, WA; daughter-in-law, Barb Van Dalen of Lynden; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Thoughts shared by John as he neared the close of his life: “I am drinking from my saucer ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.’ My life here on earth is done, now I am going home to my ‘Lord’ and ‘Savior Jesus Christ’.”

(Taken From the Bellingham Herald Newspaper.)

The picture above was taken last Christmas, December 2006. Mark and I went and visited Great Grandma and Great Grandpa while we were in Lynden. It was a wonderful blessing to be able to see him again before he went to be with the Lord.