Henrietta "Etta" Marie Thaete-Fransen went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 18, 2015. She was 93 years old. Henrietta was born to Marinus and Annie (Van Rosendale) Wichers on October 10, 1921 in Downs, Kansas. She was the youngest of 13 children. Etta attended a one room school house in Kansas through 8th grade, then high school in Downs, Kansas. The family moved to Lynden in September of 1938, Etta's senior year, allowing her to graduate from Lynden High School. Etta married Raymond Gerald Thaete on February 5, 1943 and together they had four children.

In 1943, Etta opened her first beauty shop on Poleline Rd (Bradley Rd.) just outside of Lynden, then in 1945 they moved into Lynden where she opened her second shop. In 1946, the family moved to Idaho for a couple of years, returning to Lynden in 1948 where she opened a baby shop. In 1952, Ray and Henrietta traveled the Western states doing evangelistic work. In 1957, they settled in Wenatchee where they first pastored a church on Stemilt Hill and then had a second church which met on their property in East Wenatchee. Etta was always supportive of her husband and his ministry. She worked as a bookkeeper during this time, also. In 1967, they moved to Seattle where she bought a beauty shop on Hwy 99. Ray and Etta moved back to Lynden in 1978, where she was the secretary for Word of Life Church for 9 years. Early in 1991, Ray passed away, and a year later Etta was involved in a bad automobile accident on the Guide Meridian, breaking many bones in her body. Etta met Tony Fransen in 1992 and they were married in 1993.

Etta served on two mission trips to the Philippines. She was a prayer warrior for her family and faithful in her Bible reading. Etta was tall and elegant, a real beauty inside and out. Her hair and her clothes were always perfect. Etta was highly involved at the Lynden Community Center for years as a volunteer receptionist, and was very involved with the Hymn Singers. She sang and played the piano with the Hymn Singers for 10 years, then became the leader for 10 years. Etta loved crocheting and working in puzzle books when she had a spare moment. Her grandchildren each have a beautiful crocheted quilt and pillow made by her.

Henrietta was preceded in death by husbands Raymond Thaete and Tony Fransen; and all twelve of her brothers and sisters. Henrietta is survived by her children Gerald Alvin Thaete of Shoreline, WA, Shirley Marie (Bill) Gray of Arizona and Everett, Daryl Ray (Clarice) Thaete of Seattle, and Judy Ann (John) Dunne of Bellingham; stepson Gerald (Dawne) Fransen of New Hampshire; and stepdaughter Evelyn (Bob) Peterson of Georgia. She has 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation time will be from 3:00 – 5:00, Friday, April 24, 2015 at Gillies Funeral Home, 202 Front St., Lynden. Her graveside service will be 10:15, Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 at First Christian Reformed Church, 1010 Front St., Lynden.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.