“I know a woman of strength and beauty, she is my mother.”

The family of Louise Janet (Koetje) Jensen is thankful to God for the gift of her life. Louise went home to be with her Lord on July 6, 2006.

Lou was born April 30, 1926 in Oak Harbor to Ben and Hattie Koetje. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School and attended Western Washington College in Bellingham. She married the love of her life, Stanley, in 1945 upon his return from serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII.

Lou was a woman of great strength and courage who endured life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was a very successful businesswoman, working many years at Seafirst Bank in Seattle and then in the frozen food industry in Seattle, becoming a co-owner of Tree Fruit Packers. She was also an active member and officer of Executive Women’s International for many years.

Lou was very social, loved music, Hawaii, flowers, gardening and entertaining family and friends. She had many talents including being a pianist and organist. She also sang in the church choir. She gave generously, and appreciated all that was given to her. In a life busy with business and social activities, Lou valued her family above all else.

Lou loved to travel and cruise. She and Stan enjoyed many winters at their home on the shores of Maui where they loved the lifestyle, the sunsets and all of the glorious flowers. They had many wonderful times with friends Sharon and Tim who lived in Haiku.

Lou was preceded in death by her husband Stan in March of 2006. She is survived by her precious only daughter Sharon and son-in-law Tim Irvin. She leaves five grandchildren she adored: Jason Howard, Kirsten Deveny, Emily Dexter, Julie Irvin and T.J. Irvin. And three great-grandchildren, Jackson and Davis Howard and Kellen Deveny.

Lou is also survived by her loving brothers and their wives, Henry and Marilyn Koetje and Al and Cherita Koetje, her sister Burleigh and husband Garry Smith, Jim Koetje, Kathy and Stan Bos. Her brother Les Koetje preceded her in death in 1982.

Services for Lou were held July 10 at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.