John R. Veenstra
John R. Veenstra
John R. Veenstra
October 19, 1933 – June 13, 2021
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 87
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
John R. Veenstra, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, June 13, 2021, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born October 19, 1933, at home in Peoria, Iowa, the son of Richard and Gertie Vander Molen Veenstra.
John attended Peoria Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School. He made his Profession of Faith at a young age at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church.
Following school, he worked as a truck driver to Taintor Elevator.
In 1952, He was drafted by the United States Army. Following his stateside training he deployed to Korea. After two years of active service, he was transferred to the Army Reserves and was able to return to Peoria. Upon his return he went back to work at the Elevator driving truck.
On August 26, 1960, he was united in marriage to Donna Hall at the church parsonage in Peoria, Iowa. Donna died on January 11, 2013. To this union three children were born, Michael, Alan, and Sandra.
Following their marriage, the couple rented a farm and started farming. After years of renting farms, in the summer of 1969 they bought a farm near Albia and lived near Eddyville. In 1975, they sold the farm and moved into Oskaloosa. After moving to town, John worked various jobs including, driving semi, selling feed, and delivering feed.
John was an active member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, where he had served as a Deacon and Elder, was active with Bethel Bible Searchers, and various other church activities. He was also active with the Gideons and Birthright of Oskaloosa. He enjoyed traveling with family to attend Gospel Concerts, annual family trips to the Ozarks, and long car rides with indirect trips home. He loved being a grandpa and a great grandpa, his smile was always biggest when a newborn grandchild or great grandchild was in his arms.
His family includes his three children: Michael (& Ruth) Veenstra of Oskaloosa, Alan Veenstra of Oskaloosa and Sandra (& Steve) Plate of Oskaloosa; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Bernice Van Soelen of Newton and Gretta Veenstra of Pella; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Veenstra of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife Donna, John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Marion and Wilbur Veenstra; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Van Soelen.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Doug Van Der Pol officiating.
There will be a family prayer service at 1:15 Thursday afternoon in the fellowship hall of the church.
Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton.
Graveside Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Wednesday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa Christian School Music Department or Gideons International.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John R. Veenstra please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
