Daniel Edward Ronhaar

Daniel Edward Ronhaar died at his home in Oak Harbor on January 1, 2007, at the age of 78. He was born to John and Elizabeth Mae (Abrahamse) Ronhaar on December 27, 1928, in Oak Harbor. Dan began his life on the family farm and then moved with his parents into town. He was a member of Oak Harbor High School Class of 1946. Dan served with the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Korean War.

Dan worked for Oak Harbor Freight Lines during high school. Following graduation he went to work full time, working on a contract with the Naval Air Station. When that contract ceased, Dan transferred to the freight lines office in Seattle. He was married to Juneth Hansen and he and Juneth lived in the Seattle area for many years.

Juneth died after twenty-two years of marriage and Dan decided to return to Oak Harbor. He was hired by civil service to work as the manager of surplus and disposal at the Naval Air Station. Dan was married to Marie Margaret “Marge” Leavell in Oak Harbor on March 29, 1974. Marge died in 2004.

Dan and Marge met Alice Kammeraad at a cruise information meeting in Canada. They also traveled on a cruise together. Following Marge’s death, Dan and Alice became friends, were engaged and on June 6, 2005, were married in Chilliwack, B.C. They shared homes in Oak Harbor and Abbotsford, B.C.

Dan was diagnosed with cancer and he and Alice decided to make the very best of their time together. They purchased a fifth wheel and traveled extensively for several months. They took a cruise through Hungary and Austria and a trip to Hawaii. Dan enjoyed crabbing, clamming and working in his yard. He was always the optimist, always willing to help in any way possible and had a strong work ethic. He was a member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor.

Dan is survived by his wife Alice Kammeraad and by his stepchildren: four daughters, Pauline Bosch of Edmonton, Alison Arends and husband John and Lorraine Van Bodegom and husband Kees, all of Abbottsford and Carla Bryant and husband Dave of Parksville, BC., daughter Dona Rientjes and husband Dan of Oak Harbor; by sons John Leavell of Oak Harbor and David Leavell of Miami Shores, Fla.; Two brothers also survive him, Jim Ronhaar of Oak Harbor and Carl Ronhaar of Lynden and sisters, Margaret Jedele of Oak Harbor and Doris Ewaldsen of Edmonds and fourteen grandchildren.

Funeral services for Daniel Ronhaar will be held Saturday, January 6, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Oak Harbor First Reformed Church with Pastor Jon Brown officiating. Graveside services will precede at Maple Leaf Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Gideons. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.