Robert Martinus Meijer [Parents] was born ¹ about 1859 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands. Robert married ² Wilhelmina Cornelia Kuijper on 6 Jun 1889 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Wilhelmina Cornelia Kuijper was born ¹ about 1861 in Amsterdam. Wilhelmina married ² Robert Martinus Meijer on 6 Jun 1889 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Willem Johan Nicolaas Meijer [Parents] was born ¹ about 1863 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands. Willem married ² Antje Topsvoort on 1 Feb 1894 in Aalsmeer, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Antje Topsvoort was born ¹ about 1863 in Aalsmeer. Antje married ² Willem Johan Nicolaas Meijer on 1 Feb 1894 in Aalsmeer, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Teunis Leonard Meijer [Parents] was born ¹ about 1874 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands. Teunis married ² Elise Schoonhoven on 12 Jul 1894 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Elise Schoonhoven was born ¹ about 1874 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands. Elise married ² Teunis Leonard Meijer on 12 Jul 1894 in Nieuwer-Amstel, Noorde-Holland, The Netherlands.

Sid Baron [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 13 May 1930 in Opende, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died ² on 27 Mar 2019. Sid married ^{3, 4} Margaret Tjoelker on 14 Dec 1949 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Sid was naturalized ⁵ on 8 Jan 1953 Whatcom County, Washington, USA. He resided ¹ in 2001 in Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Sidney "Sid" Baron entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on March 24, 2019. Sid was born Sietze Baron in the village of Opende in the province of Groningen, the Netherlands on May 13, 1930 to Jeen (James) Baron and Aafke (Alice) Hoekstra Baron. The family included Elisabeth (Betty) Steiger (deceased), Henk (Henry) Baron, Griet (Greta) Baker and Marijke (Mary) Chenoweth. Arriving in Lynden in 1948, Sid met and married Margaret Tjoelker, the love of his life and faithful companion for 69 years before her death on June 21, 2018. His childhood years were spent under Nazi occupation which included the family harboring Dutch Underground leaders at great risk to the family. These experiences were important in his formation which he detailed in his book "The Way it Was." After marrying at age 19 Sid began raising his family on a small dairy farm near Custer. But his dreams extended far beyond the farm and he began selling Raleigh Products door to door, then repairing TV sets in his garage. This grew into Barons TV in Lynden and the end of farming. To the retail store he added KLYN-FM radio, a background music manufacturing business, and Lynden Travel Agency with his longtime friend Rook VanHalm. Struck by Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 42 with four of his six children remaining at home, Sid set off in new directions. He began development activities building apartments and motels, which grew into forming Exxel Pacific construction with Kevin DeVries. He added ownership of motels and senior facility Meadow Greens while the construction company grew into one of the largest in the state. Humor became an important part of dealing with his MS and he greatly enjoyed telling stories of the many practical jokes and pranks he pulled on friends and family. Sid and Margaret enjoyed over 55 cruises together and through their generosity many family members and friends enjoyed these cruises with them. Their generosity extended to many individuals and organizations, notably New Way Ministry in Lynden and the Baron Theater in Opende, the Netherlands in honor of Sid's father who started the now famous music group, Crescendo. Sid also greatly enjoyed flying his Cessna 182, continuing to fly well into his 70s. Among his many contributions to his community was his speaking with daughter Julie for almost 30 years to Victim Impact Panels, sharing the pain of almost losing his daughter in a drunk driving accident. Sid Baron is survived by siblings Henry (Ruth) Baron, Greta Baker and Mary (Ray) Chenoweth; brothers-in-law Ray (Gert) Tjoelker, Art (Phyllis) Tjoelker, sister-in-law Jean (Tony-deceased) Kortus; his six children, Jim (Laurie) Baron, Gerald (Lynne) Baron, Ron (Natalie) Baron, Alan (Debby) Baron, Kaye Lynn Baron and Julie (Grant) Kroontje; and 14 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at North County Christ the King Church in Lynden on Friday, March 29 at 11:00 am. Visitation at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Memorials in his honor may be to New Way Ministry in Lynden or Lynden Christian School. You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Margaret Tjoelker [Parents] was born on 1 Apr 1930 in Washington, USA. She died ¹ on 21 Jun 2018 in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Margaret married ^{2, 3} Sid Baron on 14 Dec 1949 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Margaret Baron went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 21, 2018. Born April 1, 1930 in Lynden , Washington she passed away peacefully at home on Wiser Lake near Lynden . She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Sid Baron. Margaret was born to Ray and Henrietta (Zwaanstra) Tjoelker and raised on dairy farms in Everson and Custer areas. The oldest of six children, she is survived by sister Jean Kortus, and brothers Ray (Gert) Tjoelker Jr and Art (Phyllis) Tjoelker. Sid and Margaret raised six children: Jim (Laurie) Baron, Gerald (Lynne) Baron, Ronald (Natalie) Baron, Alan (Debby) Baron, Kaye Baron, and Julie (Grant) Kroontje. Their family included fourteen grandchildren and thirty five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Adrianna Tjoelker and Shirley Polinder, and brothers-in-law Gerald Polinder and Tony Kortus. Her extended family and her many friends and relatives would agree that she set the standard for warm, gracious hospitality hosting countless gatherings. She welcomed anyone and everyone in almost any circumstances and made them feel perfectly at home. She was outgoing, with a ready smile and laugh, and took great pride in her family with the friends she walked with and enjoyed coffee and lunch with for years. She was exceptionally close with her brothers and sisters and their families and enjoyed nearly endless conversations in person or by phone. Her desire to spend time with her family was never fully satisfied despite nearly continual visits. Favorite family memories include participation in many of the more than fifty cruises enjoyed by Sid and Margaret. In addition to raising her children, she was a strong supporter for her husband's many business ventures serving as bookkeeper for a number of years. In later years she emerged as an organization leader and fundraiser in her own right, leading the formation of New Way Ministry in Lynden and serving as chief fundraiser. She was well known in the community for her sense of humor including her standup comedy "gig" at the Lynden Community Center known as "Merriment with Margaret." This routine came to an end as her Alzheimer's condition took more and more of her memory, but this loss did not prevent her from laughing, from enjoying all visitors, and from spending the last years in peace and contentment. Her faith was the center of her life and never far from her thoughts or words. Her greatest gift to her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was the commitment of living that faith, captured in her oft repeated words: 'Tis one life, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." She was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church, most recently at Second Christian Reformed Church. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27 at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden . A private burial service will be followed by a Memorial Service at North County Christ the King Church in Lynden on Thursday, June 28 at 2 pm. Community Celebration of her life will follow the service at the church at 3:30 pm. Memorials in honor of Margaret Baron may be made to New Way Ministry c/o Christian Hope Association, 205 South BC Avenue Suite 117, Lynden WA, 98264.

Bernard Steiger ¹ was born on 30 Dec 1927 in Opende, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died on 16 Sep 2013. Bernard married ¹ Elizabeth Baron on 23 Dec 1949 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Bernard Steiger, age 85, went home to his Heavenly Father Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Born to Pieter and Janneke (Venema) Steiger in Opende, Groningen, Holland on Dec. 30, 1927, he grew up on a dairy farm, lived through German occupied Holland and served in the Dutch Army. At the age of 18, Bernie left his family and homeland, determined to follow the love of his life, Elizabeth Baron, to Whatcom County. He started his farming career as a hired hand in Whatcom and then in Skagit County, learning English along the way. He married Elizabeth Dec. 23, 1949 and started his own family in Skagit County. Determined to be on his own, he moved the family to his own farm in 1956, and worked harder than any of us know. Somehow he even carved out a month long trip with the family to Holland in 1957. The 1970's found him changing careers to selling insurance for Mutual of Omaha. Retiring slowed him down only a little, but always his determination kept him searching for something better. Bernie had a strong, quiet faith in God and our Savior, Jesus Christ and was a member of Bethel CRC since 1955. He enjoyed traveling and cruises, visiting many places. He loved fishing expeditions with "the trio" on Ross Lake and was an excellent cook and gardener. Preceded in death by siblings Lieuwe Steiger and Janneke Nicolai of Holland and Henry Steiger of Lynden; brothers-in-law Wayne Baker of Michigan and Tjalling Nicolai of Holland: Bernard is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth of 63 years; son, Pete (Sandy) Steiger and Daughter, Alice Brakke; grandchildren, Danny Steiger, Rachel Steiger and Krisula (Kurtis) Reardon; sisters and brothers-in-law Geeske Steiger, Janet Steiger, Sid & Margaret Baron, Greta Baker, Henk & Ruth Baron, Mary & Ray Chenoweth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be 7:30 pm to 9pm, Thursday, Sept. 19 at Gillies Funeral Home. A memorial service is scheduled Friday, Sept. 20, 2 pm at Bethel CRC, 1105 Liberty St. in Lynden. Memorials are suggested to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., or Project Hope, 205 S. BC Ave. both of Lynden, WA 98264.

Jeen Baron [Parents] ¹ was born ^{2, 3} on 10 Jun 1896 in Achtkarspelen, Friesland, The Netherlands. He died ⁴ on 8 Nov 1955 in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Jeen married ¹ Aafke Hoekstra in 1927 in The Netherlands.

Jeen immigrated ¹ in 1948 to USA. He was naturalized ⁵ on 6 Oct 1950 Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Born in Rottvalle, The Netherlands, according to naturalization record.

Aafke Hoekstra was born ^{1, 2} on 3 Nov 1902 in Achtkarspelen, Friesland, The Netherlands. She died ¹ on 20 Feb 2001 in Lynden, Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Aafke married ¹ Jeen Baron ¹ in 1927 in The Netherlands.

Aafke was naturalized ³ on 6 Oct 1950 Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

Visitation for Alice (Hoekstra) Baron of Lynden will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden. Burial will be at 1:15 p.m. Saturday in Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, with the Rev. Jerry VanGroningen officiating.

Mrs. Baron died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden. She was 98.

Born Nov. 3, 1902, to Hendrik and Elizabeth (Fokkinga) Hoekstra in Friesland, The Netherlands, she grew up in Holland.

In 1927, she married James Baron and they moved to Lynden in 1948. He died in 1955.

Following her husband's death, she worked as a nurse's aid at Christian Health Care Center.

Mrs. Baron was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Lynden and the church's Ladies Aid Society.

Three brothers and two sisters also died previously.

Survivors include sons Sid Baron of Lynden and Henry Baron of Grand Rapids, Mich. daughters Betty Steiger of Bellingham, Mary Chenowith of Lynden and Greta Baker of Grandville, Mich. 22 grandchildren 34 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to either Christian Health Care Center, 205 So. B.C. Ave., Lynden, WA 98264 or Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Nooksack Ave., Lynden, WA 98264.

Bellingham Herald, The (WA)
Date: February 23, 2001
Author: Staff
Page: 3B
Record Number: blg10155415292439

Bellingham Herald, The (WA)
Date: February 23, 2001