A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson for Mr. Frank A. Smoorenburg, 88, a native of the Netherlands and resident of Patterson for the past 50 years, who passed away Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at 7:30 a.m. at his home. Burial followed in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Father Donavan Labbé officiated the services.
Following World War II, Frank joined the Merchant Marines for 5 years and enjoyed sailing the world’s oceans and seas, visiting many foreign lands. His family moved to the south of Holland, where he met Louise. After choosing to become engaged, he changed his profession to working in the Dutch coal mines for 7 years in order to remain close to his new growing family. With four children, together they decided to immigrate to the U.S. in 1958, first settling in Morgan City. After having three more children, they permanently settled in Patterson.
Frank worked for and retired from Cameron Iron Works in 1984. He worked diligently with Boy Scout Troop 41 during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also served on the Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum Board due to his love of airplanes and flying. He enjoyed numerous hobbies during his retirement, which he shared with his many friends over the years.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Mrs. Theresa LaGrange, Dr. Lam, Bayou Home Health Care and St. Joseph’s Hospice for their care and compassion.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Louise Boumans Smoorenburg of Patterson; six children, Joseph (Joey) Smoorenburg and his wife Laura of Mandeville, Johnny Smoorenburg and his wife Cathy of Aurora, Colo., Alice Rauch and her husband Phil of Avondale, Cheerey Ferriss and her husband Ronnie of Ocean Springs, Miss., Mary Lou Brady of Patterson, and Frank A. Smoorenburg Jr. and his wife Jolene of Patterson; 13 grandchildren, Chantal, Tess, Brian, Bailey, Eric, Marc, Lucia, Angie, Mia, Amy, Christina, Ethan and Nicole; and five great-grandchildren, Holland, Issie, Reid, Ryan and Beau.
He was preceded in death by one son, Nico Smoorenburg; his parents, Hendricus Frans Smoorenburg and Elisabeth Johanna van der Linden Smoorenburg; and seven siblings, Henk, Gus, Gerard, Elizabeth, Ria, Yvonne, and Anthony.
A gathering of family and friends was held Sunday at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson, 6-9 p.m., with the rosary being said at 7 p.m. Visiting resumed Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 8 a.m. until Mass time at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301, www.alsa.org, or to St. Joseph Hospice Foundation, 17732 Highland Road, Suite G, Box 241, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, 225-978-2756, www.stjosephhospicefoundation.org.
Arrangements were entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary Inc., 1111 Lia St., Patterson, LA, 985-395-7873.
To view the online obituary and memory book, visit www.iberts.com.
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