Jake Van Oostrum

Tjitze Jacob (Jake) van Oostrum, 85, of Sunnyside died Sunday, August 4, 2013. Mr. van Oostrum was born in Oudega, Smalingerland, FR, The Netherlands on November 28, 1927, to Willem and Trijntje Alida (Drenth) van Oostrum. Jake married Reinskje (Rena) Abma in Wommels, FR, The Netherlands on May 11, 1951. He immigrated with his wife Rena and their two young children to Outlook, Washington in January 1956. The Van Oostrum family moved to Sunnyside, Washington in August 1972. While living in the Yakima Valley, Jake worked for Timmermans Lumber Company in Outlook and for Western Farmers in Sunnyside. Jake and Rena operated their small Dutch import store from their home in Outlook and most notably he was the owner of Jake’s Painting Service. For 30 years, Jake and Rena painted houses, dairies, churches, schools and businesses in the surrounding area. They earned more than a living at it; they developed extraordinary relationships with all their customers. Jake was a member of the Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church. Over the years, he was actively involved with the Sunnyside Christian Schools and its thrift store. Jake and Rena loved to travel – be it driving across America to visit their daughter and family or a drive through the beautiful Yakima Valley. And on those ventures, they saw God’s handiwork in every turn of the road. Survivors include his loving wife Rena, and Jantena (Rob) Bauman of Romulus, New York; their seven children – Joel (Britainy), Trina (Jeremy) Holden, Jordan (Sarah), Anja, Olivia, Anneke, and Judah; and five grandchildren. William (Beverly) van Oostrum of Yakima; their two children – Corrie and Ryan. Anny (Ed) Prilucik of Sunnyside; their two children – Ruth (Ron) Pister and Jacob (Danielle) and three grandchildren. Henry (Marilyn) van Oostrum of Sunnyside; their two children – Adrian and Analisa. Audrey (Don) Desserault of Grandview; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jake was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Henk, Willem, Jan and Nico van Oostrum and one sister, Annie (van Oostrum) Timmermans. Dad loved the Lord and had trusted in the redeeming work of his Savior Jesus Christ. We will cherish the memory of our last visit in which he encouraged us by reciting from memory various passages from the Psalms even as we tried to be of encouragement to him in the valley of the shadow of death. We want to recognize and thank the caregivers of the Sunnyside Community Hospital ICU and the Prestige Care facility in Sunnyside for their patient, kind and considerate care and attention to make dad as comfortable as possible in his difficult days. Thanks as well to Dr. Phillip Menashe and Dr. Harlan Halma for their gracious care over the years. Viewing will be held on Friday, August 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home (formerly the Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church) at 16th Street and Franklin Avenue. Private graveside service for the family will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 2 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home. Be sure to stay after the service to honor dad with “tea time”, a daily ritual for him and mom at 3:30 in the afternoon. Memorial gifts may be made on Jake’s behalf to the Sunnyside Christian School, the Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church building fund, Yakima Union Gospel Mission, or any other charitable organization. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in care of all arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jake Van Oostrum, please visit our flower store.