Narleen Joy Douma

Narleen Joy Douma, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Saturday, December 25, 2021. Her family dearly loved her.  She will be remembered for her godly example of a wife and mother, her gentle spirit, and her love for the Lord.

Narleen was born in Pipestone, Minnesota on November 9, 1942 to Anetta and Henry Tubergen.  She and her parents moved to California when she was 3 years old.  She grew up in Southern California in the Bellflower area.  Narleen attended Valley Christian High School and Cerritos College.  She married her high school sweetheart, Fred Douma on October 5, 1961.  They enjoyed over 60 years of marriage.  The Lord blessed them with 4 daughters, 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.   

Fred and Narleen moved to Chino to work on a dairy and then got the opportunity to buy the cows and start a dairy business with Fred’s brother Herman.  They moved throughout Southern California, from the low dessert to the coastal communities and eventually built a dairy in 1970 in Ontario, CA.  After 25 years, they relocated the dairy to Tracy, CA and settled in Ripon, CA.

Narleen’s interests included reading, singing, travel and politics.  She loved to travel with her family, which eventually led her to going back to school to become a travel agent.  She was very involved with local politics, having served on various committees and political campaigns.    

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Fred; her children:  Susan and John Vander Schaaf, Sheri and Dale Struiksma, Beth Anne and Neil Brouwer, and Pamela and James Auman; her grandchildren and great grandchildren:  Debbie and Lt. Col. Timothy Anderson (Michaela, Nathaniel, Luke and Abigail), Joseph and Monica Vander Schaaf (  Gabriella, John, Noa, and Naomi), David Vander Schaaf (Camryn and Hannah), James and Brittany Vander Schaaf (Mycah), Brad and Jenna Struiksma (Riley, Aubrey, Avery, and Colton), Matt and Shannon Struiksma (Hudson, and Harper), Wade and Emily Struiksma, Nicholas Brouwer, Zachary Brouwer, James Auman, and Kayla Auman; her sisters: Linda and Dr. Tom Ackerman, Ruth and Dana Johnson; and her brothers in law and sisters in law; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her grandson, John William Vander Schaaf. 

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel, 111 S. Palm Ave., Ripon.  Graveside Service will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Rd., Escalon.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. at  Escalon Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California St., Escalon.  Memorial Contributions may be given to Salem Christian Homes, www.salemchristianhomes.org  OR Bethany Home, www.bethanyripon.org OR support Christian Education at Ripon Christian Schools, Ontario Christian Schools or Valley Christian Schools (Cerritos).  

To view her service via webcasting please visit:   https://youtu.be/DDbLcpXwcwI