Gerrit Ten Kley Jr. was born on September 18, 1925, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to Gerrit Sr. and Cora (Van Hofwegen) Ten Kley. He was the fifth of seven children and the last surviving sibling. Gerrit was a compassionate, tender, and gifted brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved Jesus and walked with his Savior throughout his life. He passed away on August 13, 2026, in Bellingham, Washington, surrounded by his family, at the age of 100, just 36 days shy of his 101st birthday. He is now with Jesus, the One he longed for so deeply.

Gerrit was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church and, at age 20, served for 13 months as a Chaplain’s Assistant in Scottsville, Illinois, completing his service on November 18, 1946. He used his musical gifts to play the organ for religious services. After his family moved to Washington, he met the love of his life, Marie Kalsbeek. They married on July 13, 1948, and were together for 75 years until Marie’s passing on September 5, 2023.

In 1952, Gerrit and Marie fully surrendered their lives to Jesus at an evangelical outreach led by Merv Rossell. Gerrit later recalled, “My life has never been the same… I remember so well how strongly the assurance of forgiveness came in.” His faith shaped the rest of his life. Gerrit was an affectionate father and husband. Family meals around the table were on time and always followed by devotions and never was there a rush. Gerrit passed out tracts in downtown Bellingham with his brothers, and for several years the brothers and their families gathered in homes for church. On Sunday evenings, they visited rest homes in Bellingham, singing in the hallways accompanied by accordions. Gerrit also served for many years as superintendent of Woodland Sunday School through the American Sunday School Union. He and Marie later attended Geneva Community Church and eventually Rome Community Bible Church, where they remained until moving to Lynden Manor in 2020.

Gerrit was frugal, industrious, and musical. He worked in the timber industry and enjoyed working with his hands. He owned his own logging truck and in his free time, he worked in his small woodshop. He made many useful and creative projects, including a marimba made from Brazilian rosewood and curly maple. He could play any keyboard instrument, and family and friends loved hearing him play hymns by ear on the accordion, piano, or organ.

Gerrit and Marie also enjoyed more than 30 years of winter travel to California and Arizona in their motor home, often traveling with his brothers and their wives. They made many wonderful friends and memories along the way.

Gerrit was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; his son, Danny; his grandson, Buddy; and his brothers and sisters. He is survived by Susan (Bud) Vaughan, Lynn (Valerie) Ten Kley, Beth (Rick) Strotz, six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters.

The family is grateful to the staff at Vineyard Park in Lynden for the loving care they provided Gerrit, especially during his final months, and to Hospice House for the compassionate care and comfort they provided to Gerrit and his family.

Gerrit lived a long and well-loved life. His faith, gentle spirit, musical gifts, love for his family, and devotion to Jesus leave a beautiful legacy. While we grieve his absence, we rejoice that he is now home with his Savior—the One he loved and longed for throughout his life.

A celebration of Gerrit’s well-lived life will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Rome Community Bible Church, 2720 Mt. Baker Hwy., Bellingham, WA 98226.