Dennis Gene Korthuis passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife, children, brother and close friends on May 10, 2002. He will be greatly missed as he was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend to all.
Dennis was born October 18, 1939 in Everson, Washington. He was raised by his parents John and Ada Korthuis on a dairy farm in Lynden, WA, and went to primary school at Ebenezer Christian Elementary, and then graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1957. He attended Western Washington University.
On November 15, 1957, Dennis married Bernita Vander Ploeg of Lynden, WA. During their early life together, they lived in the Puget Sound area and southern California. Dennis never let his family stay put in any place during these early years too long since he was an electrician and needed to move where work was available. They lived in Sedro-Woolley for the past 24 years. Dennis was employed by Mills Electric of Bellingham, was a member of Riverside Health Club and attended the United Church of God in Sedro-Woolley.
Dennis enjoyed talking with anyone he met. He was not a respecter of persons. He also loved a good laugh, listening to Mozart’s music and men’s choir music, and playing with his grandchildren. He also liked playing racquetball, and walking his faithful basset hound Sadie with his good friend J.B. and his dog Otis.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Bernita, and their six children, Roger Korthuis Diane of Burlington, WA; Kevin Korthuis of Burlington, WA; Heidi Arendsen Martin of Ermelo, The Netherlands; Barry Korthuis Sandy of Issaquah, WA; Cheryl Ensing Germ of Sedro-Woolley, WA; and Michael Korthuis Heidi of Concrete, WA. Dennis is also survived by eight wonderful grandchildren, Kirsten, Kelsey, Chelsea, Robert-Jan, Bastiaan, Bryce, Ahndreah and Luke. He was also survived by three brothers and one sister: Ron Korthuis Kay of Lambertsville, MI; Bob Korthuis Diane of Billings, MT; Ruth Stadt of Bellingham, WA; and Verlyn Korthuis Marilyn of Lynden, WA.
Funeral arrangements and services are under the care of Lemley Funeral Chapel, 1008 3rd Street, Sedro-Woolley. A private family internment will take place on Tuesday morning, May 14, followed by a memorial service for friends and family to attend at 11:00 AM at the Lemley Funeral Chapel on that same day, with a reception immediately following at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Skagit Hospice, 1971 Highway 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
Our family wishes to say a special thank you to all those who helped Dennis during his struggle with pancreatic cancer.
Romans 8:28, 38-39.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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