Anna Marie (Mulder) Eelkema went peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on February 20, 2023.

Having just recently migrated from the Netherlands, Jan and Johanna Mulder temporarily settled in Loma Linda, California where they had Ann on February 27, 1951. At the age of 4, Ann moved with her family up to Skagit County. In 1969 she became a Skagit/Island Dairy Princess and graduated from Sedro Woolley High School. Shortly after graduation Ann met James (Jim) Eelkema on a blind date and they married on August 7th, 1970. They established and grew their home in Oak Harbor. Ann and Jim were true friends and soul mates recently celebrating their 52nd Anniversary.

Ann taught her children the value of hard work raising them on a farm. She was a 4H leader for many years and was named 4H Leader of the Year in 1996 for her dedication to the program. Ann loved horses and cared deeply for all the children in the community who came to her farm to ride. Ann also had a great knack for gardening. You could usually find her tending to her orchids, out in her greenhouse, or tinkering in her flower beds as she worked to make her yard look like a park. From teaching Sunday school to singing in the choir and going to bible studies, Ann enjoyed being involved with her church.

Her love for God was paramount in her life. Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Jan, and Johanna Mulder. She is survived by her husband, James Eelkema, children: Corey Eelkema (Tawna), Kristy Anderson (Craig), and Jennifer Roberts (Jay), grandchildren: Ellyot (Alex), Madeline (Cole), Allyson, Aiden, Peter, Gillian, Chase, Gracelyn, 4 great grandchildren, & her brothers Jan (Cheri) and Bill (Dorothy).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. A Celebration of Life Open House is scheduled for April 8, 2-4pm at Family Bible Church in Oak Harbor. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.