Evelyn Ferrier was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. She died peacefully in her Scenic Heights home, overlooking the view she loved with her beloved husband, Harry and her daughter, Gail.
She was born Evelyn Angie Dykstra on July 14, 1926, in Estate Hospital, Kuling Kiangsi Province, China. Her parents, Simon Andrew Dykstra and Cornelia Veltkamp Dykstra, were missionaries in Shanghai, China. Evelyn was one of five daughters; Cornelia, Jean, Dorothy and Sylvia.
The family lived in China for 17 years while their father served several small provinces in and around the Shanghai area. Shortly after the Japanese invasion of China in 1941, Simon sent his family back to Grand Rapids. It was during this time that 15 year old Evelyn cared for her ailing mother and younger sisters. This experience had a profound effect upon her decision to become an RN. Her father was captured and held prisoner by the Japanese until 1943. The family was reunited in Grand Rapids, Mich., and later relocated to Duval, Wash., where Simon pastored a small Christian Reformed Church.
Evelyn graduated from Monroe High School and enrolled in nurses training in Everett, Wash., where she earned her RN degree. Following graduation she worked for a hospital in the Everett area. She married Henry Koetje in 1947 and they moved to Oak Harbor. She worked for several years as Dr. Henry Carskadden’s nurse. On June 24, 1950 she gave birth to a son, Gary Henry Koetje and on Feb. 17, 1954 gave birth to a daughter, Gail Ann Koetje.
One of the darkest times in her life was losing her beloved son Gary to leukemia at the age of 10. In 1962 Henry and Evelyn adopted Michael Koetje.
She was instrumental in pioneering the original Whidbey General Hospital Auxiliary Polly Harpole Guild with the vision of providing the Island with its own hospital. In the mid 1980’s Evelyn started the Foot Clinic for Senior Citizens. This clinic was very dear to her heart. In addition to providing foot care each week, she also spoiled them with freshly baked cookies and birthday cakes.
On March 9, 1990 she married Harry Ferrier. They had such great fun traveling together to China, Scotland, Paris, London and Israel. Evelyn also had many opportunities to accompany Harry as he was being recognized for his many military honors. She was so proud of his military career.
Beginning in 2002 she began experiencing significant health challenges. Evelyn embraced these challenges with a strong faith, and a positive attitude, surrounded by her loving husband and daughter.
One of the greatest joys she shared with Harry was her grandchildren, Chad, Shaura, Joshua, Derek and Nicole; she was delighted when she became a great grandmother with the births of Ethan, Amalie and Maren.
Evelyn is survived by her husband, Harry Ferrier, Oak Harbor; daughter, Gail Koetje Neil (Bruce), Oak Harbor; son, Michael Koetje, North Carolina; granddaughter, Shaura Neil Larson (Ben), Post Falls, Idaho; grandson, Chad Neil, Oak Harbor; grandsons Joshua and Derek Koetje, Seattle; granddaughter, Nicole Koetje, Everett; great granddaughters, Amalie and Maren Larson, Post Falls; great grandson, Ethan Koetje, Everett; her sisters, Dorothy Kass (Frank), Grand Rapids, Sylvia Gabrielse (Steve), Export, Penn., and Sharon Whalen (Bob), Phoenix. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Gary, sisters Connie Boer and Jean Muir, and brother James Dykstra.
Evelyn was a longtime member of the Oak Harbor First Reformed Church where she served in numerous capacities over the years. The celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at the First Reformed Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where family and friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest book and leave memories for the family.
