Jurjen Tekelenburg, age 84, passed away at his home in Sedro-Woolley on Tuesday, June 9, 2009.
He was born February 8, 1925 in Amsterdam, Holland to Ralph and Lysje Neuman Tekelenburg. Jurjen grew up in Holland attending school and later trade school learning to become a machinist and boiler maker.
On May 19, 1949, Jurjen was married to Clara Buekema in Amsterdam and they celebrated 60 years together in May of this year.
They immigrated from Holland in 1953 settling in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan until 1966 when they moved to Seattle. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the Blaine and Custer area’s of Whatcom County residing there until 3 years ago when they moved to Sedro-Woolley. Jurjen worked as a machinist and boiler maker for Bechtel, Boeing, and Intelco as well as working in Alaska and for other construction companies.
Jurjen was a Jiu-Jitsu champion in Holland as a young man and later taught Jiu-Jitsu in Canada. He enjoyed fishing, blacksmithing, bee keeping, scuba diving, and he enjoyed life to the fullest.
He is survived by his wife Clara Tekelenburg of the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His 8 children; Gesina Allan and her husband Dave of Grand Forks, BC, Elizabeth Colombi and her husband Frank of Lyman, Alice Veum and her husband John of Terry, MT, Diane Pederson and her husband Dean of Blaine, Jerry Tekelenburg and his wife Vicki of Prince George, BC, Karen Rauch and her husband Bill, Ralph Tekelenburg and his companion Rennee, and Rick Tekelenburg and his wife Kim all of Blaine. 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parent and a sister, Alice.
A Family Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Kidney Center, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.