John Evert Terpstra
John Evert Terpstra
John Evert Terpstra
October 21, 1926 – November 13, 2012
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Served with Honor – United States Military Veteran
John passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning a Mahaska Health Partnership at the age of 86 years and 23 days.
John Evert Terpstra, son of Peter and Jennie Cora Plate Terpstra, was born, October 21, 1926, at the home of his parents near Oskaloosa. He was a 1944 graduate of Lacey High School. He was drafted into the Army and entered April 4, 1945; he served in the infantry as a military policeman in Italy. September 18, 1946, he was honorably discharged and returned home to resume farming with his brother in the Lacey area. John was united in marriage to Mildred C. Hoit, March 20, 1948, at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. They farmed southwest of Oskaloosa on a place they remained their entire life. John passed on his love of farming onto his two sons, who took over the farm; he continued to assist them until recent years. John also worked at Ideal Manufacturing for 39 years and for the last 15 of those years he worked in maintenance, he retired at age 62. John was a member of the American Legion, Farm Bureau, Pheasants Forever, and the NRA. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, cutting wood, camping at the Iowa State Fair and Mike’s Car Shows.
John’s family includes his wife of almost 65 years, Mildred of Oskaloosa; two sons, Mike Terpstra of Fremont and Larry (Marva) Terpstra of Oskaloosa; a grandson, Derek (Ronda) Terpstra of Oskaloosa; a great grandson, Seth Terpstra; great step-grandchildren: Paige and Patrick Flynn; and a brother, David Terpstra of Mexico, MO.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Gerrit Terpstra and two sisters-in-law: Geraldine and Irene Terpstra.
Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Services Serenity House or to Central United Methodist Church.
Visitation: will be held from 2 – 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel and will resume at 9 a.m., Thursday morning. A procession will form at 10:30 a.m. to leave for the cemetery.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2012 at Henness Cemetery with Pastor Tom Boomershine of the Central United Methodist Church officiating.
Interment: Henness Cemetery with Military Honors by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
