Helen Jean Van Dam was born March 19, 1927 to Egbert and Della Kamps in Linton, N.D. She was raised in Lynden, Wash., with three brothers and two sisters.

As a born again Christian the Lord led her into banking and her ultimate career as wife to loving husband E. C. “Mike” Van Dam for 60 years, homemaker, mother of three daughters, 11 grand and great-grandchildren.

Oak Harbor was “home” most of Helen’s life. She was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church and loved to read, cook, travel, walk the beaches hunting for beautiful rocks and shells, until Aug. 14, 2007, when she moved to her final destination to wait for the rest of us in Heaven.

Helen is survived by her husband Mike, three daughters Sharlene (Dick) Grantham of Idaho, Judy (Floyd) Nave of Washington, and Karen (Griff) Griffin of Texas, along with her grandchildren, and numerous relatives and friends.

Pastor Jon Brown will be officiating a private family service at the Maple Leaf Cemetery with music by Kevin Johnson. Memorials may be made to the Gideons or the First Reformed Church Missionary Fund. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.