Boonstras celebrate 60 years together

Ed and Willie Ann Boonstra of Oak Harbor will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 at First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor.

Ed and Willie Ann Boonstra of Oak Harbor will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 at First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor.

Family and friends are invited to join them in celebrating their diamond anniversary.

The couple were married May 6, 1952 in Diemen, Netherlands, just outside Amsterdam. Ed was employed as a mounted policeman in Holland and Willie worked as a janitor at a pharmaceutical company during their early years of marriage. The couple decided to immigrate to the United States in 1955, making their home in Oak Harbor.

Ed worked for the city of Oak Harbor from 1956 to 1986, after which he served on the city council for 10 years.

Willie worked for the Oak Harbor School district and was well known as “the lunch lady.” She also worked at Chris’ Bakery, becoming a familiar face to many.

The couple have impacted their community through their work, years of involvement with Holland Happening and also commitment to their church, First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor.

The couple has two children, daughter Kaarin Nelson and the late Rick Boonstra. Other members of their family also immigrated, including Ed’s brother and Willie’s niece and family.

Ed and Willie have enjoyed many camping trips over the years, plus fishing trips and traveling to places like Alaska, Hawaii, trips back to the “old country” and a Mexican cruise. Their travels have created an extended family here in the U.S.