Afine Relk Obituary (1932 - 2021)

Afine Relk passed away June 9, 2021, at Meridian Meadows Transitional Care in Meridian. She was 88 years old. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 14 at the Melba Cemetery on Base Line Road. Afine was born October 29, 1932, in Bergen, the Netherlands. She grew up in nearby Alkmaar, where her father owned a store. Afine survived World War II under Nazi occupation and went on to work for a bank and an irrigation office. When she was 24, she met John Relk, a U.S. Air Force officer who was visiting relatives in the area. They married in Alkmaar in 1957 and, after immigrating (legally), moved to the Relk family farm in Nampa. In 1962, they purchased their own small family farm on Locust Lane, which Afine helped turn into an oasis of trees, gardens, and rock fences. It became a learning and playing ground for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They lived there for 55 years. Afine enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and helping run the family farm. In the 1980s, she resumed her dream to become a nurse, plans that had been put on hold for 23 years when she moved to the U.S. Afine worked for 10 years as an LPN at Mercy Medical Center. She moved to Greenbriar Estates in 2017. John and Afine founded the Nampa Farmers Market in 1989. They modeled it based on Afine's experience at farmers markets in the Netherlands, sharing their own excess produce with that of other farmers and local vendors. Afine was proud that the market became a well-known and beloved event for the Nampa community. Afine proudly flew the flag on commemorative days, always appreciative that the U.S. liberated Holland in 1945. She was always there for her friends, family, and country. We will miss her immeasurably. Afine is survived by her children Jack (Kelly) Relk; Mike Relk; Alita (Max) Svaty; Joe (Alane) Relk: and sister Jacoba "Cobie" van Leeuwen. Afine loved spending time with her 7 grandchildren - Jordan (Erin) Relk; Jerad (Amy) Relk; Ryan (Randi) Svaty; Rachel (Reece) Nobel; Sunny (Justin) Christensen; Alex Relk; Aidan Relk. 9 great grandchildren: Lilly, Bailey, and Dawson Relk; Ryelin, Rhenlee, Royce, and Rayph Noble; Hudson and Hayden Christensen. She was preceded in death by her father (1937), mother (1993), and husband (2016). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Nampa Farmers Market or Melba Senior Center are appreciated. A ZOOM link has been provided for family and friends who are unable to attend the service. Zoom Link: Perry Zeyer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Afine Relk Graveside Service Time: Jun 14, 2021 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86986530927?pwd=MVZ3YTEyNFlsOUtxVTRUVHYvQzlJUT09 (Copy and paste link into your computer browser.) Meeting ID: 869 8653 0927 Passcode: 776100 One tap mobile +12532158782,,86986530927#,,,,*776100# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,86986530927#,,,,*776100# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 869 8653 0927 Passcode: 776100 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kesna29KCt