Beth Z. Fakkema went to be with her Lord on August 4, 2010, at the age of 94.

Beth was born on April 23, 1916, in Oak Harbor to Geert and Dora (Riepma) Zylstra. She attended Oak Harbor schools and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1933. After high school graduation, Beth attended business college in Mount Vernon where she took courses in bookkeeping.

For several years she kept books at Oak Harbor’s main co-op general store, where her father was the manager; this was at a time when customers still ordered at the counter and supplies were retrieved for them. She married Paul Fakkema in 1940 and became a fulltime farm wife. They made their home on a large dairy farm located on Fakkema Road.

Besides homemaking, Beth again went to work as a bookkeeper in 1959 at the downtown Darigold plant which overlooked Oak Harbor Bay. She also later worked in new accounts at the Everett Trust and Savings Bank (which later became Wells Fargo Bank). She retired in 1979 to take care of her ailing husband.

A lifelong member of the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, Beth actively served as a Sunday school teacher, church organist and volunteer bookkeeper as well as working numerous church and community committees for many years. She loved to travel and made trips to many places including Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and around the United States. Beth also enjoyed crocheting and needlepoint.

Beth is survived by two sons, Ray Fakkema with wife Sheryl of Oak Harbor and Roger Fakkema of Canyondam, Calif., and daughter-in-law Sue Fakkema of Renton; grandsons Peter Fakkema with wife Sabrina of Carson City, Nev., and Bryan Fakkema of Sacramento, Calif. She also leaves two great-grandchildren, Rosie and James Fakkema. Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Fakkema; son, Dave Fakkema; all three sisters, Dottie Dyer, Charlotte Cecil and Annette Vickers; and grandson, Darren Fakkema.

Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Whidbey Memorial Chapel. A Graveside Service will be Monday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m. at Maple Leaf Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, 1411 Wieldraayer Road, Pastor Randy Beumer officiating. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.