Bandstra, Henry M.

BANDSTRA, VANDE VOORT, VOS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 21:43:03

Funeral services for Henry M. Bandstra, 78, of Pella were held October 18 at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. John Gorter officiated, with Mr. Bryce H. and Bryan L. Bandstra, participants. Music was provided by Mrs. Barb (Steenhoek) Nunnikhoven, organist with a taped selection by Adele Bandstra, Michelle Schneider and Danelle Bandstra. A solo was sung by Travis Bandstra and also a taped selection by Travis and Bethany Bandstra. Postlude taped by Community Mass Choir.

Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton with Mr. Bryan L. Bandstra, presiding. Casket bearers were Travis Bandstra, Ronald Schneider, Bert Bandstra, Ed Bandstra, Bernard Spoelstra, Daniel Vroom, Daren Vroom, and Delmar Zuidema. Honorary casket bearers were Taylor Bandstra, Rodney Hugen, John Rus, Stan Terpstra, Erwin Van Hal, Kevin Van Weelden, and Arvin Vander Wilt.

Henry Marvin Bandstra was born on August 23, 1924 near Leighton. The seventh of ten children, his parents were Bart and Mary Vande Voort Bandstra. Hank, as he was known, received his formal education at the West Weaver Country Grade School near Oskaloosa, where he graduated from the eighth grade.

As a young man, Hank met Luella Marie Vos while she was giving readings at churches. They were united in marriage on February 25, 1948 at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Hank and Luella gave birth to three children: Bryce Henry who was born on September 24, 1951; Ruth Aileen who was stillborn on May 7, 1954 and Bryan Lee who was born on April 25, 1956. Hank and Luella first rented the family farm near Leighton from his parents until 1968.

In 1969 they moved to Otley where he worked for a time at the Otley Cooperative Exchange. Later he sold fertilizer for Standard Oil. This same year, Hank also began selling grain bins. This became a full-time business and eventually Bandstra Supply, Ltd. was organized. Hank continued to enjoy running the business until his health forced him to retire a few years ago. Following his retirement, he continued to enjoy frequenting coffee shops with his many friends.

On Monday afternoon, October 14, 2002 he passed away. Henry was a former member of the Leighton Christian Reformed Church in Leighton where he was baptized as an infant, served as a cadet leader while his sons were cadets and sang in a men's quartet. He had been a faithful member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella for many years where he loved to sing in the church choir.

He is survived by his wife, Luella; their sons: Bryce H. Bandstra of Chicago, Ill., and Bryan L. Bandstra and his wife, Becky Ann (Brouwer) of Pella; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Of his original family, Hank leaves four sisters and a brother: Dorothy (William) Zuidema, Wilma C. Vos and her husband, Richard, Kathryn Vroom and her husband, Robert, John A. Bandstra and his wife, Joan all of Pella; Bernice Kredit and her husband, Herman of Phoenix, Ariz., and a sister-in-law, Beulah (Paul E.) Bandstra also of Pella. Of his wife's family, Hank leaves her two sisters: Margaret (Vos) Van Ee of Pella; Claziena (Vos) Terpstra and her husband, Gerard of Grand Rapids, Mich., and a sister-in-law, Marie (John M. ) Vos also of Pella. Although they were not family, Hank and Luella considered Gerrit B. and Chris Steenhoek of Pella and Ed and Lenabel Shappel of Gilbert, Ariz. as extended family.

He was preceded in death by his stillborn daughter, Ruth Aileen; his parents: Bart and Mary Bandstra; three sisters: Gertrude Bandstra, Ada H. Spoelstra and Mary J. Bandstra; and a brother, Paul E. Bandstra.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House or the

Pella Christian Grade School in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, October 31, 2002