Obituary of Dirk Oosterwyk

Dirk Oosterwyk, 95, of Cottonwood, Arizona passed away October 24, 2013. Dirk was born March 18, 1918, the seventh of thirteen children of Dirk and Margje Oosterwijk. After school, he grew up in the nursery business learning all about being a full-fledged nurseryman. He was in the Dutch Army for 15 months, being discharged July 1, 1939. He moved to Germany to work, but was called back into the Army in September, 1939 and served until the end of 1940. After World War II, he rejoined the service and was a Quarter Master for six years. He then returned to the nursery business and worked there from 1951 until 1953. He moved to the United States and picked up in the nursery business on the west coast. After one year of working for other people, he started his own company as a supplier of nursery stock to landscape companies. In 1954 he joined the Washington State Nurserymen's Association (WSNA) and became the WSNA president. He also served as president of the Snohomish Lions Club. He joined the Presbyterian Church in Washington and has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church ever since. Dirk married his wife, Wilma in 1961. He retired from the nursery business in 1982. After full retirement, he and Wilma fell in love with traveling and made many trips in the United States and abroad. They moved full-time to Arizona in 1992 where they have enjoyed the sunshine. Dirk is survived by his wife, Wilma; son Fred (Linda); son, Dirk (Jeannie); daughter, Nellie (Lemuel) Pratt; and grandchildren, Jason, Brianne, and Dale James "DJ"; brother, Gerard; sister-in-law, Betty and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held 4:00 pm Monday, October 28, 2013 at Verde Valley Presbyterian Church, 1500 E. Hombre Drive, Cottonwood, Arizona with Pastor Naomi Barcanic officiating the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Dirk's honor may be made to Verde Valley Presbyterian Church. A memorial service in Washington will be 4:00PM Friday, November 15, at First Presbyterian Church of Snohomish, 1306 Lakeview Ave, Snohomish, WA.