Auke Douma

Auke Douma, age 83 of Randolph, went to his eternal home on Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

Auke was born on May 14, 1926 in the Town of Randolph, Columbia County, WI; the oldest of nine children, to Dewey and Martha (Alsum) Douma. On December 19, 1947 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Voortman in Grand Rapids, MI. They farmed in the East Friesland area until 1977. Auke then worked at Jung’s Seed Company and Kirsch Foundry until his retirement. Auke was a longtime, active member of the First Randolph Christian Reformed Church where he had served as both elder and deacon. He also served on the board of the Randolph Christian School. Auke was a charter member of the Friesland Community Male Chorus, and he enjoyed ministering thru singing for twenty-five years. He loved playing Rook with family and friends.

Auke is survived by Evelyn, his wife of sixty-two years; ten children, Larry (Tammy) Douma; Diane (Dave) Vande Zande; Glen (Kathy) Douma; Randy (Deb) Douma; Wanda (Mike) Bartz; Leon Douma; Marla Slinger; Janna (Scott) Mittelstaedt; Darrel (Carri) Douma; Brenda (Larry) Grab; thirty-six grandchildren; and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. He is further survived by eight siblings, Dorothy Schaalma; Theresa Posthuma; Gerrit Douma; Clarence (Shirley) Douma; Alice (Melvin) Hoffman; Bessie (Lambert) DeJager; Andrew (Tessie) Douma; and Harvey Douma; sister-in-law, Grada Rietema; two brothers-in-law, Rev. Syburn (Martina) Voortman; and John (Betty) Voortman; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rich Medema; a grandson, Eric; two brothers-in-law, Carl Posthuma and John Schaalma; and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Douma.

A Service to Celebrate Auke’s Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at First Randolph Christian Reformed Church, N8876 East Friesland Road, Randolph, with Rev. Ken Prol officiating. Burial will follow in the Friesland Cemetery.

Auke’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Auke’s name.