January 18, 1925 – February 18, 2016
Jim Tiesinga of Birch Bay Village, was born on January 18, 1925, to John and Elizabeth Tiesinga, in Billings, Montana. Our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Stafholt Good Samaritan Nursing home in Blaine, WA, where he received the most excellent care. Jim turned 91 on January 18. We, his family, had a wonderful birthday party for him at Stafholt.
Jim graduated from Lynden High School in 1943. He was a great basketball player and a valuable member of his team. He was 6 feet, 2 ½ inches and was known for his ability to make key shots from the corner.
Jim enlisted into the Navy at the start of WWII, right out of high school, and was trained as a submarine sound man. Following his training, he spent most of the next 4 years on a submarine known as the “Pilot Fish” out of Pearl Harbor.
After returning to Lynden from service to his country, he was employed by Knapp and Knapp Furniture, where he had worked during his high school years. He was asked to go to California to attend trade school in floor covering installation, following which he returned to Knapp and Knapp and specialized in this area. He was employed locally with Knapp and Knapp for many years, later transitioning to Ralph’s Floors where he worked an additional 40 years and Alsum and Bode after that.
He married Mae Rose Kosters on August 31, 1956. Their 60th wedding anniversary would have been this coming August. Jim and Mae Rose had 2 children, Patricia and James. Patricia and her husband Russell Krofta blessed Jim and Mae Rose with two grandchildren, Joseph and Katie Krofta.
After retirement, Jim and Mae Rose left their home in Lynden and moved permanently to a beach house in Birch Bay Village that Jim had built. Theirs was the first home built in Birch Bay Village.
Jim was a real sports fisherman starting when he was about 14 years old. He loved salt water and lake fishing, especially out at Silver Lake. During the years Jim and Mae Rose spent together, they enjoyed many days and nights on their boat “JiMae” fishing out on the San Juan Islands. They also enjoyed clam digging and crabbing.
During Jim’s later years, he enjoyed spending his days looking out over the bay watching the many birds: eagles, blue heron, seagulls, crows, ducks, snowy owls and many others. He also enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and breathing the salt water air. He led a comfortable and happy life, and now he is with his Lord and Savior enjoying the wonders of Heaven.
Jim dearly cherished his family. He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years Mae Rose; children Patricia (Russell) Krofta of Blaine (Birch Bay Village); son James J. Tiesinga, MD, of Anchorage, Alaska; 2 grandchildren Joseph and Katie Krofta; and numerous other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister Martha Maxfield and brother Ken Tiesinga.
A time of visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2016, at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden. The Graveside Committal will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 4 at Monumenta Cemetery followed by an 11 a.m. Memorial Service at Sunrise Baptist Church, 2480 W Badger Rd, Custer. Reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Stafholt Good Samaritan Center, 456 C St, Blaine, WA 98230 or Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, WA 98264. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
