Obituary: Nicolaas J. Knijnenburg, 84, of Custer

Nicolaas J. Knijnenburg

Obituary: Nicolaas J. Knijnenburg, 84, of Custer

Nicolaas J. Knijnenburg, 84, of Custer passed away Sunday November 1, 2020. Niek was born May 14, 1936 in Vlaardingen-Ambacht, Netherlands to Johannus W. Knijnenburg and Cornelia C. Berkhout.

He married Cornelia P. van Dijk on September 14, 1967 in De Lier, Netherlands. Niek graduated from Schipluiden School in 1950. He went on to proudly serve his military duty, spending a year with the Dutch Marines on the Dutch New Guinea Island. After the military, Niek drove trucks for 16 years across Europe, bringing him to France, Italy, Austria, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden. Many trips were made to West Berlin during the Cold War. Often, he would team up with his big brother, Jan and his cousin Neef Gus. In 1977 he took his family to France, where he ran a dairy farm until 1994. He them moved his family to Mason County to continue the dairy farming business.

Niek is survived by his sons, Arthur (Chantal) of France and Robert of Custer; his grandchildren, Lucie, Martin, and Clemence all of France; his brother, Jan; his sisters, Jo, Tinnie, Cor, Annie (Kees), Gerda and Will (Roel); his brothers-in-law, Jan, Han (Anneke), and Leo (Tilly); his sisters-in-law, Sjen, Coby, Tonnie (Hein), and Ineke (Leo); and his best cousin Lucia from California.

Niek was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Jan and Jeanne; his brother, Aad;his sister Riet; brothers-in-law, Aad, Eef, Aad, Sjaak, Jan, Antoon, Martinus, and Gerard; his sisters-in-law, Map, Jeanne, Will, Josephine, and Marijke.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.