It is with great sadness that the family of Gertie Saar announces her passing on Friday, October 26, 2018 at the age of 79. Born April 17, 1939, the oldest of six in Deming to Peter and Martha Rensink. Living in Whatcom County all but a short time in Snoqualmie Falls. She graduated from Mt. Baker High School in 1957. She was a lady with a heart of gold. She never was known for saying anything bad about anyone. She lived a life committed to helping and caring for many other people thinking… Read More » of their needs always before her own. She was loving, caring, self-sufficient and a bit feisty. Gertie loved people. She was a helper, caregiver, and friend to all. She was a social butterfly and had a way of engaging strangers into conversations. She loved the company of family and friends especially enjoying all from the Sumas Senior Center and places she would go to karaoke. Gertie enjoyed many gatherings. She fiercely loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren rarely missing any of their sporting events or activities. She lived for those moments and always made time for them. She was always doing something kind for someone else or lending an ear when needed most. She had a love for chocolate and had an eye for any Dairy Queen that could be in sight. Gertie was always a very dedicated and hard worker. From a young age she started working in the berry fields; she worked at Sumas Meat for Harold and Kay Bishop; Kales Cannery in Everson where green beans, beets, and carrots were processed; B&B Tavern where she bartended for Bill and Betty Lou Donahue; and Columbia Valley Meat, Gravel and Excavating where she wrapped meat, smoked hams, bacon, sausage and turkeys and was running the business with her husband Allen. Gertie is survived by her four children Gloria Wheeler, Ken Bock, Rod (Tammy) Bock, Arlene (Rob) Crozier. Two stepchildren Chrissy (Dave) Workman and Greg Saar (Mary Mihira); sisters Jane (Don) Payton, Ruth (Thoral) Bodily, brothers Henry Rensink, and Pete (Linda) Rensink. Gertie is preceded in death by her parents Peter and Martha Rensink, baby brother, stepson Darrell Lee Saar, first husband Arthur Bock, second husband Allen Saar, sisters-in-law lorrell Rensink and Patricia Bock, son-in-law Dale Wheeler, and her canine companion puppers. She will be missed by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a large extended family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Sumas cemetery on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. followed by a 11:30 a.m. Celebration of life service at Sumas Advent Church. You are invited to stay after the service for refreshments and share memories with family and friends. Memorials are suggested to Cystic Fibrosis c/o Seattle Children’s Hospital, PO Box 5371, Seattle, Washington, 98145–5005; Sumas Senior Center, 461 W. 2nd St., Sumas, WA 98295 or American Cancer Society. You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at www.GilliesFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gertie Saar 2018.
Death notice for the town of: Lynden, state: Washington