Rev. Robert Bruce "Bob" Vermeer [Parents] was born ^{1, 2} on 31 Dec 1927 in Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. He died ^{3, 4} on 5 Jan 1999 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA from Coronary Artery Disease (s/p Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting). He was buried ^{3, 5} on 11 Jan 1999 in Grave 3, Block 9, Line 20, Monumenta Cemetery, Lynden, Whatcom Co, WA. Bob married ^{6, 7} Anna Mae Flokstra on 17 Jun 1953 in Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA.

Bob resided at 4606 Delores Avenue from 1929 to 1945 in Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. He graduated with 8th Grade graduation from Zion Lutheran School on 5 Jun 1942 in Oakland, California. He graduated with High School Graduation from California Concordia College on 14 Jun 1946. He resided ⁸ at 1039 Kalamzoo Ave SE in 1948 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. He graduated with Calvin College from Bachelor of Arts, pre-seminary on 2 Jun 1950 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. He graduated with Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Calvin College on 28 May 1953 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Delavan Christian Reformed Church in Delavan, Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA on Jun 1953; He accepted on 2 Aug 1953. He worked as Minister with Delavan Christian Reformed Church from Oct 1953 to Jan 1958 in Delavan, Walworth County, Wisconsin. Bob was called to serve as pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Denver County, Colorado, USA on 26 Dec 1957; He accepted on Abt Jan 1958. He worked as Minister with First Christian Reformed Church from 1958 to 1965 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado, USA. Bob was called to serve as pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Ireton, Sioux County, Iowa, USA on 8 Nov 1965; He declined on 24 Nov 1965. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Maple Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA on 22 Nov 1965; He accepted on 17 Dec 1965. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Sussex Christian Reformed Church in Sussex, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA on 30 Nov 1965; He declined on 14 Dec 1965. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Third Christian Reformed Church in Patterson, New Jersey on 9 Dec 1965; He declined on 18 Dec 1965. He worked as Minister with Maple Avenue Christian Reformed Church from 1966 to 1973 in Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA on 8 Apr 1973; He accepted on 1 May 1973. He worked as Minister with Bethel Christian Reformed Church from 1973 to 1981 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Bakersfield Christian Reformed in Bakersfield, Kern County, California, USA on 18 Jan 1981; He accepted on Abt Feb 1981. He worked as Minister with Bakersfield Christian Reformed Church from 1981 to 1985 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California, USA. He resided ⁹ at 4201 Monitor St from 1981 to 1985 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California, USA. Bob was called to serve as pastor of Kanawha Wright Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha, Hancock County, Iowa, USA on 20 May 1985; He accepted on 5 Jun 1985. He worked as Minister with Wright Christian Reformed Church from 1985 to 1993 in Kanawha, Hancock County, Iowa.

THE VERMEER FAMILY; written by Robert Vermeer in about 1980:

"In the year 1927, on the California shores of the Pacific Ocean, a boy was born in Oakland whom his parents named Robert Bruce Vermeer. He was born and raised in the Reformed tradition. Since there were no Christian Schools in the Bay Area, he received his early training in Missouri Synod Lutheran grade and high schools. At the close of the second world war he entered Calvin as a pre-seminary student, graduating in 1950 from the College and in 1953 from the Seminary.

"A few years after his birth in California, a daughter was born to Dr. and Mrs. L. Flokstra, late professor of education at Calvin College. She was named Anna Mae. Trained in the Christian schools of Grand Rapids, Michigan, "Ann" (as she prefers to be called) also entered Calvin College, graduating in 1951 with a degree in education. During the next two years she taught in the Oakdale Christian School under her principal, Mark VanderArk.

"During their college years Bob and Ann met as members of the Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church (CRC) of Grand Rapids. Courtship became earnest in the early 50s which finally lead to marriage on June 17, 1953. Declared a candidate for the ministry that same year, the newlyweds soon accepted a call to serve the Christian Reformed Church of Delavan, Wisconsin where ordination took place on October 9, 1953. While in Delavan two daughters joined the family: Laurel Anne in 1954 and Marcia Lynn in 1955.

"Then came the call to move westward. The four Vermeers arrived in Denver in January 1958 to serve the First CRC for the next eight years. While living in the Mile-high City, their marriage was again blessed with the birth of two sons. John Robert joined the family tree in 1959 and Bruce Henry arrived in 1962. In 1966, however, a call was heeded to serve the Maple Avenue CRC of Holland, Michigan where the family lived until now. While in Holland, Laurel and Marcia graduated from Holland Christian High School.

"And then came April of 1973! Again the Lord spoke and the Vermeers felt a new challenge to serve the Lord's church in the great northwest country of America, Lynden is now their home and they count it a great privilege to be a part of the Bethel family. You will find them to be very human, very normal, in every way. The two girls now are enrolled in Calvin College. Laurel hopes to become a teacher; Marcia a nurse. The two boys will join the Christian schools in Lynden. Your Pastor and his wife will attempt to keep the home fires burning at 205 Eleventh Street."

After Lynden, Robert and Ann Vermeer moved to Bakersfield, California on January 18, 1981 where they served the Christian Reformed Church of that city. At that time all of their children except for Bruce, their youngest, had moved away. Bruce did not move with his father and mother to Bakersfield, he remained in Lynden to complete his senior year of High School at Lynden Christian High School. Bruce relocated to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan that fall.

In 1985 Bob and Ann moved to the Wright Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha, Iowa. where they pastored until retirement in 1993. Then they moved to Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington and the first home that they actually owned (having been in CRC parsonages the rest of the time).

In 1993 they bought their first home in Lynden, Washington which they occupied until Robert died on 5 January 1999.

Anna Mae Flokstra [Parents] was born ¹ on 4 Apr 1929 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. She died ¹ on 23 Nov 2008 in Holland Home, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA from Aspiration Pneumonia (complication of Alzheimer's Disease). She was buried ² in Grave 4, Block 9, Line 20, Monumenta Cemetery, Lynden, Whatcom Co, WA. Anna married ^{3, 4} Rev. Robert Bruce Vermeer "Bob" on 17 Jun 1953 in Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA.

Anna graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School on 13 Jun 1947 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Education from Calvin College on 1 Jun 1951 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. She worked as Teacher with Oakdale Christian School from 1951 to 1953 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA. In 2000 She lived at 301 Homestead BL, Apt. 318; Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA. In 23 Nov 2008 She lived at 2121 Raybrook Avenue SE, 431-1 (Raybrook Manor, Holland Home); Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA.

Having a teaching degree Ann occasionally worked as a substitute teacher during her married years, but her main work was as a mother to her four children and as a pastor's wife. She moved with Rev. Robert Vermeer to the various churches he pastor, retiring to Lynden (Washington) with him in 1993.

After her husband's death in 1999 she moved to the Meadow Green apartments in Lynden and after a year there she moved to Raybrook Manor in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Anna Mae (Flokstra) Vermeer, age 79, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 23, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Robert B. Vermeer. She is survived by her children, Laurie (Steve) Sytsma, Marcia (Harlan) Standifer, John (Becky) Vermeer, Bruce (Vicki) Vermeer; nine grandchildren; one sister, Marian (Myron) Oosterman; sister-in-law, Jane Francks; brother-in-law, Don (Carrie) Vermeer. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Raybrook Manor with Rev. George Aupperlee officiating. Visitation will be at Raybrook Chapel on Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service. Interment at Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, WA. Memorial contributions may be made to Raybrook Manor Resident Assistance Fund. Zaagman Memorial Chapel {Grand Rapids Press obituary}

Regarding the Flokstra surname: Early ancestors in the Flokstra line were employed as peat cutters. M. Flokstra of Venraij presupposes a link between the name 'flok' for a bog plant with a white plume that grows in the peat. Note that Claes Alberts in this line seemed to be nicknamed Kaye Flok in records about him from the early 1700s.

Jan Kornelis Vink [Parents] ¹ was born ^{1, 2} on 29 Mar 1809 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He was christened ³ on 30 Apr 1809 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died ⁴ on 16 Apr 1879 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Jan married ⁵ Trijntje Bont ¹ on 24 Mar 1833 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Jan worked ¹ as boerenknecht (farm worker) in 1833 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in 1843/1863. He received an ordinance ¹ of rietdekker (roof thatcher) on 1 Feb 1868. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in May 1868 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in May 1871/1876 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as rietdekker (roof thatcher) in Apr 1879 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Other marriages:

Maat, Ebeltje Hindriks

Derk Klassen VINK is witness on Anje's birth record. Jan Kornelis is "zesentwintig" or 26 on Anje's birth record.

Trijntje Bont [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 6 Feb 1812 in Loppersum, Groningen, The Netherlands. She was christened ³ on 19 Feb 1812 in Loppersum, Groningen, The Netherlands. She died ⁴ on 26 Feb 1876 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Trijntje married ⁵ Jan Kornelis Vink ¹ on 24 Mar 1833 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Trijntje worked ¹ as dagloonster in 1843/1871 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Handwritten Baptism cert shows birth as Feb 6.

Seen in various records as Trijntje, Trientje and Grietje. With surname as Jans, Hansen, Hanssen, and Bont. It is highly likely that Trijntje Bont (mother of Anje Jans Vink) was the daughter of Grietje Hansen Bont.

Grietje Jans Hansen Bont [Parents] ¹ was christened ² on 24 Jan 1790 in Tjamsweer, Groningen, The Netherlands. She died ³ on 9 Jul 1852 in Slochteren, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Other marriages:

Deuntje, Albert Jans

Jan Kornelis Vink [Parents] ¹ was born ^{1, 2} on 29 Mar 1809 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He was christened ³ on 30 Apr 1809 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died ⁴ on 16 Apr 1879 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Jan married ⁵ Ebeltje Hindriks Maat ⁶ on 28 Feb 1830 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Jan worked ¹ as boerenknecht (farm worker) in 1833 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in 1843/1863. He received an ordinance ¹ of rietdekker (roof thatcher) on 1 Feb 1868. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in May 1868 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as daglooner (day laborer) in May 1871/1876 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked ¹ as rietdekker (roof thatcher) in Apr 1879 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Other marriages:

Bont, Trijntje

Derk Klassen VINK is witness on Anje's birth record. Jan Kornelis is "zesentwintig" or 26 on Anje's birth record.

Ebeltje Hindriks Maat ¹ was born ² about 1810 in Thesinge gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. She died ³ on 15 Aug 1831 in Thesinge gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Ebeltje married ⁴ Jan Kornelis Vink ² on 28 Feb 1830 in Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Kornelis Derks Vink [Parents] ¹ was christened ^{2, 3} on 2 Feb 1777 in Bedum, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died ⁴ on 4 May 1837 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Kornelis married ⁵ Nieske Pieters van Dijk on 12 May 1799 in Onderwierum, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Nieske Pieters van Dijk [Parents] ¹ was born ¹ about 1772 in Bedum, Groningen, The Netherlands. She died ² on 28 Jun 1840 in Sint Annen gem. Ten Boer, Groningen, The Netherlands. Nieske married ³ Kornelis Derks Vink on 12 May 1799 in Onderwierum, Groningen, The Netherlands.