Jean Mildred Zylstra

Jean Mildred Zylstra, age 98, passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021.

Jean, was born in Hillsboro, Oregon, to Frederick and Marie Berger. Growing up on the family farm with her three siblings, Lowell Berger, James Berger, and Virginia Berger Larkey, Jean went on to attend Oregon State University, graduating with a degree in business. While working in Portland, Jean met her husband, Donald Zylstra of Oak Harbor. They married, staying in the Hillsboro area, and had two children. Moving back to Oak Harbor in 1950, they established their home here.

Jean loved music and taught piano to many local students through the years and was a member of Washington State Music Teachers’ Association. She also was an active member of First Reformed Church, playing the organ and piano there for over 30 years. Baking, picnics, camping and reading were all favorites of hers, as well.

Faith and family were most important to Jean. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents, her brother Jim, and son-in-law, Tom Hill. Jean is survived by her children Gerald (Karen) Zylstra, Marilyn Hill and Donna Sandberg (Leon). She was a loving grandmother to eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service for Jean will be held at Oak Harbor First Reformed Church on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00pm. Jean supported a variety of Christian ministries so memorial gifts may be made to First Reformed Church, Oak Harbor, or a Christian ministry of your choice.