Gertrude Zylstra Rip
Gertrude (Zylstra) Rip, 82, of Mount Vernon passed away peacefully on Sept., 5, 2002. She was born in Pease, Minn. April 29, 1920, to Fred and Nellie Post Zylstra. In 1929, their family moved to the Duvall area. Gertrude married Jacob J. Rip on June 19, 1942, and the couple farmed near Oak Harbor for 14 years. In 1956 they moved their family to Grand Rapids, Mich., where Jake pursued his theological education at Calvin College and Seminary. After Jacob’s unexpected death in 1960, Gertrude moved her family back to Oak Harbor. She was employed by the Oak Harbor School District until she retired in 1985. In 1990 she established her home at Heather Village Retirement Center in Mount Vernon. She had been an active member of Christian Reformed churches in Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, and traveling to many family events.
Survivors are her six children: Marilyn (Dennis) Boersema of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Jan (Stuart) Sybesma of Lindstrom, Minn.; Jim (Judy) Rip of Zillah; Faye (Jerry) Hop of Bellingham; Ken (Clare) Rip of Austin, Texas; and Bob Rip of Ontario, Calif., who mourn her dying but celebrate her faith in Jesus and the blessing of her life to others. Survivors also include her three sisters: Nellie DeJong of Monroe, Rena Werkhoven of Mount Vernon and Bertha Vander Vegt of Anacortes; five brothers, Peter Zylstra and Clarence Zylstra, both of Monroe, Paul Zylstra of Lynden, Simon Zylstra of Bothell, and Andrew Zylstra of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father in 1931, her mother in 1960, and brothers Simon, Paul (who died in their youth), and Herman in 1981.
Public graveside services will be held in Fircrest Cemetery in Oak Harbor Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m., and a memorial service at First Christian Reformed Church of Mount Vernon, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m., with Reverend Michael Kooy officiating. Viewing is at Kern Funeral Chapel, Mount Vernon, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13. Memorials may be made to Mount Vernon Christian School, 820 West Blackburn, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, or Hospice of Skagit County, P.O. Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Arrangements are by Kern Funeral Chapel, Mount Vernon.
