Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
Gerrit was born and raised in Iowa, and Tracy was born in Montana, where she remembers riding on horseback to a one-room schoolhouse with two of her siblings. Her family moved to Brooten, Minnesota when she was 11 years old.
What was your first job?
Tracy was the fifth of eight children in the family. She helped on the farm and worked in a grocery store before getting married.
In 1946, at the age of 19, Gerrit joined the Army with some of his friends. When he got out of the service, he went to work for his dad doing upholstery.
What is the hardest thing that you’ve lived through?
Tracy’s childhood was hard, but she says they didn’t know anything different.
Gerrit’s family was very poor. When he was 11, he went to work for a local farmer in exchange for room and board. He got to visit his parents once a month. Gerrit’s brother also worked at a nearby farm; they both went to school and church with the families that they lived with. He remembers that while working on the farm, he could have all the bacon, eggs and meat that he wanted.
How did you meet, and how long have you been married?
Gerrit went to visit his aunt and uncle in Minnesota. It was there that he saw Tracy in church and said, “That’s my girl!” They went on a first date to see the fireworks on the 4th of July and began corresponding after that.
His dad suggested that he go to Grand Rapids, Michigan, because there were furniture factories there where he could do upholstery work. He got a ride there, found a place to live and got a job right away even though both were very hard to find at that time. He and Tracy continued to correspond. They got engaged in 1950 and married in Minnesota in 1951. They have now been married 72 years!
What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
Tracy’s favorite decade was the 1950’s after she and Gerrit got married.
Do you have a favorite song, inspirational quote or bible verse?
Both Tracy and Gerrit draw their inspiration from their faith, and they both love all the Christian hymns.
Gerrit likes country and western music. Tracy’s favorite musician was her Aunt Esther who played piano and organ in church.
What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
The biggest lesson Tracy learned was from her parents. They taught her to believe in God and to go to church. Gerrit’s dad taught him the value of hard work. He was still doing upholstery work when he was 80!
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
The couple is very proud of each other and of their family. They raised three sons and one daughter together—and all except one son live in Minnesota.
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
We are happy to be living at Christian Health Care Center. The service is fantastic, and all our medical needs are taken care of. Everyone here does a good job.