TENNIS VANDEN HAAK
Tennis Vanden Haak, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Island Hospital in Anacortes. .
Mr. Vanden Haak was born in Rijnsburg, The Netherlands, on May 18, 1919, to Teunis and Antonia (Hijstek) Vanden Haak. He was the middle of thirteen children. As a young man in The Netherlands, Tennis attended school through the eighth grade. He met his bride-to-be Sijtje DeRijk (later Americanized to Sylvia) during World War II, while their homeland was under Nazi oppression. They survived the war and were married on April 14, 1948. In September 1948, they emigrated to the United States through Philadelphia, and then directly to Oak Harbor, having been sponsored by John and Audrey Bultman.
Tennis was employed at Whidbey Florist and Greenhouse, which was owned by the Bultmans. He and Sylvia purchased the business in 1954, the same year they became U.S. citizens. In 1980, they changed the name to the Greenhouse Florist and Nursery. The Vanden Haak children took over the ownership of the business and moved it to its present location. Tennis was a member of the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, where he was actively involved over the years as custodian, deacon, treasurer, hospitality host and choir member.
Tennis is survived by his wife, Sylvia; four children, Nellie Hutchinson (Jim) of Oak Harbor, Audrey Butler (Dave) of Coupeville, Henry Vanden Haak (Janine) of Oak Harbor and Mary Wiley (Mike) of Colfax; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; also, by two younger sisters and one younger brother. He was preceded in death by his son Anthony, a son-in-law Jerry, granddaughters Melynda and Michelle and several siblings.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 5-8 p.m. at Whidbey Memorial. A Memorial Service will be Monday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, 1411 Wieldraayer Rd., Pastor Randy Beumer officiating. A private family graveside will precede at Fircrest Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Oak Harbor Christian School, 675 E. Whidbey Ave. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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