Gerritje "Gerrie" (Ekkel) Ter Avest

Gerritje ter Avest, age 93, of Battle Creek passed away at her residence, after a long illness in the loving care of her family on Wednesday, March 23, 2015.

She was born December 13, 1922, in the Netherlands, the daughter of Jan Hendrink and Janna (Ronhaar) Ekkel. Gerrie worked for the Red Cross in the Netherlands during WWII. The war was devastating to her; on March 22, 1945 the family home was bombed leaving them with one brother dead and the home a total loss.

Gerrie married Jan (John) ter Avest May 24, 1950 in Nijverdal, Netherlands and came to the United States in December 1951. Sadly, Gerrie was preceded in death by her husband, John on July 11, 2011. Gerrie is survived by two sons, Simon G. H. (Denise) ter Avest of Battle Creek and Jerry H. (Julie) ter Avest, D.D.S. of Chapel Hill, NC; grandsons, Gerrit and Jason of Battle Creek; granddaughters, Alex and Sydney of Chapel Hill; a brother, Marinus Ekkel of Canada and a sister Henritta Duenk of Canada. In addition to her husband, Gerrie was also preceded in death by three brothers, Johan, Henry and Gerritt Ekkel and two sisters, Hennie and Johana.

Gerrie enjoyed singing in the First Presbyterian Church Choir and listening to music. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and sharing their stories. Gerrie embroidered hand towels, personally made gifts for her family and friends; loved to entertain with beautiful table settings, flower arrangements and excellent homemade foods, desserts and Dutch chocolates. She hooked rugs, made Christmas ornaments and worked with pride in her home and flower gardens.

Friends will be received 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m., the hour prior to services, at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Weenink 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016. Committal and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Gerrie may be made to Bronson at Home Hospice or The Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.