Della Fakkema passed away Sunday, May 22, 2005, in Coupeville at the age of 97. She was born Alida Hendrika Rientjes Dec. 28, 1907, to Jan and Wilhelmina Rientjes in Nijverdal, The Netherlands. Her family immigrated to Canada when Della was two. While living on the Canadian prairie, Della learned the importance of hard work and the love of family.

When Della was 15 her family moved to Whidbey Island, a place she loved and which would become her home. Her father farmed for a time and them opened the Oak Harbor Bakery on Pioneer Way. On Sept. 24, 1929, at the age of 21, she married Chris Fakkema, one month before the stock market crashed.

Chris and Della weathered the Great Depression together. They traveled to Ashland, Ore., for a short time to farm, but returned to Oak Harbor. In 1946 they built and began operating the Chimes Restaurant at the corner of Midway and 700 Avenue (now Midway and Whidbey).

The Fakkemas eventually sold the Chimes. Chris partnered with Ernest Eerkes to form Trico Plumbing. Chris and Della had three sons all of whom still reside in Oak Harbor.

Della decided to further her education and in 1960, graduated from Skagit Valley College, receiving her licensed practical nursing degree. She worked in obstetrics at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor for several years. She loved helping those in need, and especially enjoyed assisting at births. Later, she took on the job of teacher, reaching out to children as a missionary in Child Evangelism Fellowship. She was a respected teacher of the Bible and spent countless hours in study.

Della’s hands were never idle, and she was always cooking, baking or knitting something for someone. Though she took many different jobs in her lifetime, she always considered her main calling in life to be that of mother. She devoted her life to the service of others and to her Lord. Her children and grandchildren remember and appreciate her generous spirit, strong faith and many talents.

Della is survived by her three sons and their wives: John and Joyce Fakkema, Charles and Marlene Fakkema, and Robert and Susan Fakkema, all of Oak Harbor. Two brothers, John Rientjes, Jr. and wife Alice of Oak Harbor and Rev. Cornelius Rientjes of Lynden; 10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren also survive her. Her husband Chris, two brothers, Gerrit and Bert, and two sisters, Fanny and Johanna (who died in infancy) preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor Wednesday, May 25, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Jon Brown to officiate. Burial at Maple Leaf Cemetery will precede the church service. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Christian School, Child Evangelism Fellowship or the Gideons. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel