Westra, John Gerald 1934-2021

WESTRA, FEDDERS, KLEINWOLTERINK

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

John G. Westra, age 86 of Sioux Center, IA, died Friday, March 26, 2021 surrounded by family at the Sioux Center Hospital.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. John Lee officiating. A prayer service will take place at the church at 10:00 a.m. before processing to Memory Garden Cemetery in Sioux Center for burial.

To View John's funeral service please click on the following link: https://livestream.com/bethelsc

Picture slide show: https://youtu.be/a-S8xqM2p6g

Visitation will be Monday, March 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, IA.

The Westra family asks memorials be directed to the Ireton Christian School and/or Atlas Of Sioux Center.

John Gerald Westra was born on June 25, 1934, the son of George and Grace (Fedders) Westra in Ireton, IA. He grew up in the Ireton area on a farm, attended Ireton Christian School and graduated from Western Christian High School in 1952. John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. After his honorable discharge he returned home and attended Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, IA.

On June 20, 1958, he was united in marriage to Carol Kleinwolterink in Orange City, IA. The couple made their home on a farm northwest of Ireton, IA. Together they had three children: Carla, David, and Corey.

John was a longtime member of the Ireton Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon. He retired from farming in 1992 and from Schoeneman’s Lumber in 1999. In 2003 he and Carol moved to Sioux Center, IA where they later became members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. John had a strong faith in the Lord which was evident to all who met him.

John was active in the community during retirement working at Second Chance Depot in Sioux Center and enjoyed the many “new” treasures he would find there.

His hobbies included going on tractor rides with other retired farmers, taking many drives in his 1951 Plymouth, going out to eat with friends and attending grandchildren’s events. He loved spending time with his family.

John is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Carol Westra of Sioux Center, IA; three children, Carla (Douglas) Roghair of Sioux Center, IA, David (Lisa) Westra of Chattanooga, TN, and Corey (Anne) Westra of Sioux City, IA; seven grandchildren, Jenna Roghair, Maren, John “Jack”, and Allison Westra, and Aiden, Meredith, and Mallory Westra; sister, Mildred De Weerd; brothers, Harold (Darlene) Westra, Glenn (Marilyn) Westra, Kenneth (Arlys)Westra, Verlyn (Lori) Westra; Brothers-in-law, Harley (Phyllis) Kleinwolterink, Arlyn (Verdell) Kleinwolterink, Larry (Glennis) Kleinwolterink; sister-in-law, Linda (David) Bolluyt; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace (Fedders) Westra; parents-in-law, John and Lorraine (Vander Meide) Kleinwolterink; two infant siblings, brother-in-law, Gilbert De Weerd; and sister-in-law, Lois Westra.

Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.