Pearl Eelkema-Roti passed away peacefully on July 9, 2005 in the family home on Penn Cove near Coupeville. Her children surrounded her when she passed, and she had been visited by many loved ones in days previous.

Pearl was born on June 17, 1921 in a Whidbey Island farmhouse overlooking Clover Valley (Oak Harbor). Her father Al Nienhuis was killed in a hunting accident in 1930 and she and three brothers were raised by their mother Jenny during the Great Depression. An integral part of the Dutch community (Koetje/Nienhuis), she attended and graduated from Oak Harbor Schools in 1939. In 1940 Pearl married Charles Eelkema of Oak Harbor and they moved to Mount Vernon, where they began a life working in churches and with the Union Oil Company of California.

In 1950 Pearl and Charlie moved to Coupeville where they became partners in, and eventual owners of the E & E Oil Company. Pearl had three children, Paul (Gloria) of Santa Rosa, Calif., Roger Eelkema (Diane) and Phyllis Cook, all of Coupeville.

Pearl was a self-described missionary at large, and a living example of Christian love and tolerance. Beginning in 1940 and continuing throughout her life she worked in churches and church supported ministries. She held the goal of personal outreach and love for others. Her contributions to the ministry included teaching with Child Evangelism, United Presbyterian Women’s Groups, Skagit Valley Gideon’s Camp, Sunday School and Bible group teaching with the First Baptist Church in Oak Harbor, Coupeville Boy’s Club, and serving as a founding member of the Coupeville Community Bible Church.

In 1980 after the passing of Charles, Pearl began an association in service with the Wycliffe Bible Translators. She served one and a half years as a short term assistant in Yarinacocha, a town near the Amazon River in eastern Peru. Returning to the United States, she continued with Wycliffe in North Carolina, Dallas, Texas and California.

In 1988 Pearl married Reverend Lloyd Roti. Pearl and Lloyd served together at the South Park Presbyterian Church in West Seattle until his retirement in 1998. Pearl enjoyed 17 years with Lloyd. They traveled across the U.S. and maintained homes in Seattle and Coupeville. In retirement they continued to serve the Lord.

In addition to her husband Lloyd and her children, Pearl is survived by grandchildren, Kris and Lark (Eelkema) Kesterke of Mount Vernon, Max Eelkema, Autumn Cook and Charlie Cook, all of Coupeville, Michael Eelkema, Jonathan Eelkema and one great grandchild, Trinity Eelkema, all of Grass Valley.

Pearl’s prayer and life work was “that Jesus Christ might be glorified” in all that was done. Her favorite song was “Jesus Loves me,” and she always considered herself a work in progress for the Lord.

Private family graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery, Oak Harbor. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Coupeville Community Bible Church on Friday, July 15 at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P. O. Box 62800, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 or The Firs Conference Center and Camp Firwood, 4606 Cable Street, Bellingham, WA 98229. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.