Sidney Top, age 65, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2011 into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:11), as the result of a farming accident on his dairy farm in Sedro-Woolley. He was born on October 25, 1945 in Niekerk, The Netherlands, to William and Tena (nee Oosterhof) Top.
At age 5, Sidney immigrated with his family to the Skagit Valley eventually settling in Sedro-Woolley. He attended Mount Vernon Christian School and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1964. Sidney met his wife Emma during these years and they married on Sept. 2 1965 taking over the family dairy operation.
Sid was an active member of the Burlington United Reformed Church. His love for the Lord was an encouragement to all, serving numerous times as elder and deacon.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Emma Top, and 10 children; Michelle Sybrandy and her husband Ashley of Mount Vernon, Melanie Schut and her husband Steve of Sedro-Woolley, Rachel Wieringa and her husband Jim of Burlington, Stephen Top and his wife Laurie of Sedro-Woolley, Julia Brooks and her husband Matthu of Mount Vernon, Teresa Bovenkamp and her husband Travis of Sedro-Woolley, David Top and his wife Heather of Sedro-Woolley, Joshua Top and his wife Becky of Sedro-Woolley, Nicole Enter and her husband Steve of Ferndale, Aimee Bouma and her husband Hunter of Everson; 41 grandchildren with the 42nd due in December and 1 great-grandchild; 2 sisters, Bonnie Wolters and her husband Pete of Burlington and Jenny Dykema and her husband George of Sardis, B.C. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Klaaske and his youngest daughter, Leah.
One of the greatest pleasures he saw in his life as a husband, father, and friend comes from 3 John :4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” He will be sorely missed.
Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 PM at the First Christian Reformed in Mount Vernon with Pastor Mark Stewart officiating. Visitation will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM – 5 PM and Wednesday 7 PM – 8 PM at the Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to “Pregnancy Choices” of Mount Vernon.
Dear Mrs. Top and all of Sidney’s family,
My husband and I went to school and graduated with Sidney. My husband grew up on a farm east of you along the Hoehn Road. Anytime we drive by your farm, we have remembered Sidney and spoken to each other admiringly of your farm operation, values and your large family. I think we may have talked to you at the class reunion one year –we had 7 children). We were so very shocked to read of your incredible loss and our hearts hurt for you. May your faith uphold and strengthen you through these very difficult times. Grief is a huge and encompassing event that varies day to day and takes a lot of energy. We hope you can get enough rest, slowly find some peace and healing, and continue to celebrate the blessings of each day. Though we know none of you, you are being carried in our hearts. In friendship, Robert and DeAnna Claus, Anacortes, WA
Lieve Emma en kinderen,
We hoorden via George en Jenny van het overlijden van Sid. Wat een schok. Pas nog als familie samen in Nederland en nu niet meer onder ons. Gelukkig mogen we vertrouwen op een goede Thuiskomst bij onze Heer en Heiland. We hopen en bidden dat jullie Zijn nabijheid mogen ervaren.
We leven met jullie mee.
Een hartelijke groet van,
Diny(Oosterhof) en Eelke Wiersma.
We are sorry for your loss but know there are no accidents with God, only appointments. We have been blessed with a couple of generations of your family in our Awana program. Every member of this great family is a testimony to Sid’s godly walk. We’ll never forget the godly wedding in our church a short time back. We pray for the God of all comfort to help you in your loss.
Blessings on you,
Pastor Rick & Carol
dear Emmy and family,
we are sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and your father
our condolences, may God comfort you and your children
Dear Emma and children,
I have not been around your family in a long time but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about this tragic loss. I also know that God is with you and He will watch over all of you. I worked for a lot of farmers back in the 70’s and Sid was always a great guy to work for. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick and Rosemary Geertsma
Grand Haven, Michigan
Dear Emma and Family,
We just learned of your loss. We remember well our time in 1999 when we first met you and your amazing family. May God’s peace and comfort be with you all.
David and Kathy
Dear Emma and Family,
We were sad to receive the news of the sudden loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.
We pray that the Lord will grant you His comfort and strength. What a blessing to have the assurance of salvation in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Psalm 121
In Christian Sympathy,
Rev. Alan and Wanda Camarigg and Family
Dear Emma and family,
Our hearts grieve for you in the sudden loss of your wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Sid’s smile, encouragement, and kind godly words of wisdom enriched our times of fellowship and worship in Burlington. Life brings so many changes but this change is one of the hardest for you. Yet for Sid, it is unimaginably awesome to fellowship in the presence of the God and Saviour who created him and saved him!
May the Lord give you strength this day and through the times ahead.
rejoicing in the blessed hope we share in Jesus Christ!
Maurice and Christine Luimes, Nobleton Canada
Dear Emma, children, grandchildren,
it has given us a great shock to hear this terrible message! We met Emma and Sid on the familyday in Friesland and he was a sympathetic person. A great loss for all of you!
You are in our minds and in our prayers. God bless you and keep you close in this time of great sadness. The only comfort is that God is Sid’s Owner in life and in death, as it is for us. May the Lord comfort you and put away your tears. With the Words of the Revelation of st.John 21:1-4 . Our deepest sympathy and love, Your cousine Emmy (Ymkje) and husband Ferdinand from Holland, Harderwijk
Dear Emma and Family
We were so saddened to hear of Sid’s sudden death. We rejoice with him in that he is now at rest with his faithful Savior Jesus Christ whom he professed and loved to be his only comfort in life and in death. We are upholding you in prayer.
Love, Rudy and Kathy
In the words of psalm 23, we want comfort you now so unexpectedly your husband and your father and grandfather died. We are very shocked. We remember the nice familyday where we could get to know him.
Lots of strenght and GOD’s comfort. Love, Beppy v.d.Voort-Cnossen.
We extend many thoughts and prayers on behalf of the entire Top family including Uncle Steve and Aunt Melanie Schut. We love you in the Lord. May you find comfort in the knowledge of the Resurrection and the peace that only our Lord can give.
In Christ’s love,
Steve and Alissa Veeneman
Our condolences, Lots of strength in this difficult time.
Dear Emma and family,
I would like to extend my condolences in the loss of your husband Sid. I trust that the God of all grace will comfort you with the immeasurable comfort of His grace as you mourn his death.
Emma, I really enjoyed the time when I stayed by you for those 12 days. Sid was a delight to visit with and the two of you were so very kind.
Blessings!
Rev. Wetselaar
Dear Emma and Family,
Very sad to hear this terrible news. Please accept our sympathies on this great loss. We are glad we got to know you both last spring on the reunion and dinner. We will remember Sid as a very wise and sympathetic cousin. Wish you strength Emma, may God comfort you and your Family,
best regards Adrie and Jelle from Drachten
Our participation in the death of Sid Much desired strenght now and in the future. We live with you from Holland.
Dear Emma and Family
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you grieve your loss. God bless and keep you close in your time of sadness. As you grieve. God has promised that comfort will come, that peace will be restore and that tears will eventually cease.
With deepest sympathy
Nick and Marianne Dykema
This man was a pillar, a great man who always had a kind word of encouragement. He loved the Lord, had a kind heart, and yet remained steadfast in the truth. He was a role model to young men. His sudden loss is a blow to his family, his church, and his community.
We stand with the Top family in their hour of grief, remembering the blessed hope of God’s promise to those who love and fear Him.
Julia, Teresa and family-
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We will be praying for you and your family in this time of sorrow.
With love,
Heidi and Paul Swanson
Dear family of Sid
So sad for your loss. Sid was a dear, sweet man and we know he will leave a large void in your life as husband, father, grandpa brother and uncle. We pray for Gods peace and comfort in your hearts in the days and months to come. We rejoice that he is with his heavenly Father and is able again to hold his daughter in his arms in that heavenly kingdom. God bless you all in the difficult days ahead as you lay your loved one to rest. Jack and Evelyn Hoekstra.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Ps 116:15
Melanie and family,
My heart is breaking for you all tonight over the loss of your Dad. I will always remember him as being friendly, kind and always quick with smile. I have fond memories of the times I spent the night or just the day at your house with your family when we were in school. Your Dad always made me feel at home with his joking around and kind nature. I hope that you and your Mom and family find peace and healing in the weeks and months to come knowing that he is smiling down over you. For now, may you find some comfort in the many fond memories you share with your family of your father.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Christine Bigelow
I have such wonderful memories of times spent with the Top family. I am praying for you all. May God grant you strength and peace.
Much love in Christ,
Emily
Sid was always a great encourager to me in my ministry in Burlington. We are thankful that we got to know your family, and have fond memories of hospitality on the farm.
We pray that the Lord will continue to comfort you all with the blessed, certain hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Leo de Vos, Wellington New Zealand
Dear Emma and family
Our hearts so ache with your loss of Sid, your dear husband, father, grandfather, friend. You are and remain constantly on our minds and in our prayers.
May the Lord give you peace and may your thoughts of Sid, soon, in due time, bring nothing but joyful thoughts, memories and smiles. He leaves a great legacy as we can see in the blessings upon your family.
Warmly,
Rudy and Mary