Jessie Beeksma Eerkes, 96, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 17, 2009.

Jessie Eerkes was born August 12, 1913, at home on the farm in Clover Valley, Whidbey Island, to Bokke and Adrianna Beeksma. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1931. She worked as a telephone operator and egg candler prior to marriage.

She married Ernest (Erk) Eerkes on Sept. 10, 1934 after which time they owned and operated Eerkes Springs Resort located along the shores of Crescent Harbor. The resort was closed in 1941 when the property became part of the Navy’s Seaplane Base. During the ensuing years she was a mother and homemaker.

She was an active and lifelong member of the First Reformed Church. She has the distinction of being the longest baptized member in the church’s history. Some of the church activities she will be remembered for include: Sunday school teacher, Orcas Island summer camp cook for over 30 years, Holland Happening dinner, baking thousands of cookies for numerous weddings, and other volunteer work including a week in Harlem, N.Y.

In retirement she enjoyed traveling to such places as Alaska, New England, the Southwest, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Jessie Eerkes is survived by a daughter, JoAnne Young of Seattle; three sons and their spouses, Ernie and Janice Eerkes of Mount Vernon, Gary and Janet Eerkes of Bellingham, and Al and Maija Eerkes of Bellevue; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Eerkes; a son, Lynn Eerkes; a son-in-law, Vernon Young; five sisters and two brothers.

Services for Jessie were held Dec. 21, 2009 at the Oak Harbor First Reformed Church with burial at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Reformed Church, 250 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98227 or Oak Harbor Christian School, 675 East Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.