Johanna (Jo) Tyhuis was born March 30, 1921, on the prairie of Alderson, Alberta to the blended Dutch immigrant family of Hendrikus and Johanna Tyhuis. She and her brother Gerrit (Ty) were the product of the final marriage, the story goes that her mom complained to her dad, Ã?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??Your kids and my kids are ganging up to pick on our kids.Ã?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢?Ã?Æ??Ã?â??Ã? In addition to Gerrit, were brothers John and Joe Tyhuis, and sisters Dina Tyhuis Rjinders (who stayed in Holland) and Dena Withage Heller. The family immigrated to Whidbey Island in February of 1927, just a month shy of her sixth birthday.

Jo learned English from her older brothers and sisters and at school. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School as valedictorian of her class June 1, 1939.

Jo worked for the Oak Harbor post office after finishing high school. She took time off to raise kids, and returned part time for many years. She returned to full-time work as a rural carrier after the kids were grown. Jo retired from the postal service in her sixties.

Before she was married Jo worked for the district Christian Endeavor association as a volunteer. It is said that CEÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s offer of a job in Seattle provided the incentive for Bud to propose. Bud (Laurin Zylstra) and Jo (Johanna Tyhuis) were married June 11, 1948.

Jo was First Reformed Church of Oak HarborÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s Junior High Christian Endeavor Leader for many years. A highlight for kids was the annual Deception Pass camping trip with Bud and Jo and others. She also spent many years as a counselor at church camp on Orcas Island where she became and remained Ã?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??Aunt JoÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢?Ã?Æ??Ã?â??Ã? to many.

Jo and Bud parented four kids: Sue (Jerry) Brown, Ken (Elizabeth) Zylstra, Laura (Dave) Cummings, and Cathy (Joel) Halverson. They were grandparents of six grandchildren: Kelly Brown, Bradley Brown, Steve Stuckey, Wes Halverson, Russell Halverson, and Lauren Cummings.

Cooking, cleaning, canning, and baking filled much of JoÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s time, she took great pride in her home and family. Some of KenÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s friends had their own cookie stash in the freezer near the pool table in the basement. Jo was a consummate hostess, throwing together a delicious meal at the last minute. Home canned green beans and fruit, a pie from the freezer, and seafood from the islandÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s waters were frequently on the table.

Camping and traveling were pastimes the whole family enjoyed. Family backpacking trips took place as the kids got old enough to carry their own gear. Bud and Jo were happy when the family graduated to a travel trailer with a bed off the ground!

JoÃ?Æ??Ã?â??Ã?¢??s memory and function declined in recent years, and she succumbed to the effects of dementia. She is mourned by her husband of 59 years, Bud, her children, Sue Brown and husband Jerry of Shoreline; Ken Zylstra and wife Elizabeth of Stanwood; Laura Cummings and husband Dave of Olympia and Cathy Halverson and husband Joel of Kelso.

Six grandchildren, Kelly Brown of Culver City, Calif.; Bradley Brown, U.S.M.C., Camp Lendleton, Calif.; Lauren Cummings of Olympia; Steve Stuckey of Mesa, Az.; Wes Halverson of Vancouver, Wash.; and Russell Halverson of Kelso; and one brother, Gerrit Tyhuis of Oak Harbor, also survive.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31, from noon to 7 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. with memorial services to follow at the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jon Brown officiating. Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church Youth Programs. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.