This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: TRIEMSTRA, VO, VLIETSTRA Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22506/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In Memory of: TRIEMSTRA, Alvin "Al" Born August 26, 1941...and who died at the age of 66, March 1, 2008. He was born in Kalamazoo, to Thomas and Anderia Triemstra. In the nearly 10 years that he spent in the U.S. Army in the Signal Corp., the last three he spent in Vietnam. He extended his stay there in that country in order that he should not be apart from who was to be his wife, "Ellen" Vo'. These two returned to Kalamazoo in November of 1969, when, by and by, they adopted a little girl, Kristen, who they loved as their own, in 1980. And though after 24 years of marriage they, Al and Ellen, parted, both remained loving and devoted parents to Kristen, who will tell you that her Father was always there for her, always, no exceptions. For we at the Gazette, in P&D, Al had a "pre-emptive" personality, easily riled at times! But if you took the time, had the patience to peer beyond the blustering, you would see a gentle soul, a giving soul, giving unto his own impoverishment, for he thought nothing of his own ne! eds, but considered the needs of others before his own. Al is survived by his daughter, Kristen; his grandsons, David and Davontis; a sister, Sinnie Vlietstra; brother, Bert Triemstra, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, and by his dear friend, Christina and her daughters, Mikayla and Melody, to whom he gave with love, caring and without thought for himself. For us at the Kalamazoo Gazette, in P&D, in particular Michelle and Oliver, you will never be forgotten. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/16/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.