Bandstra, James "Jim" Henry 1955-2021

BANDSTRA, NIKKEL, DEKOCK, VANDER PLOEG, THOMPSON, BLOMMERS, BAXTER, WAGNER, DIXON, HJORTSHOJ, VAN VEEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:30

James Henry Bandstra
June 20, 1955 - March 31, 2021

VISITATION

05 MONDAY
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Monroe
810 S Commerce Street
Monroe, Iowa 50170

SERVICE

06 TUESDAY
2:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Monroe
810 S Commerce Street
Monroe, Iowa 50170

Jim Bandstra--a jokester to hundreds, a mentor to many, and a friend to all--died peacefully Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at home, surrounded by family, friends, and coffee time.

James Henry Bandstra was born on June 20, 1955 in Grinnell, Iowa to Gilbert (Gib) & Joyce Nikkel Bandstra, the fourth of six children. He was raised on the family dairy farm north of Monroe and attended Pella Christian schools, graduating with the class of 1973. He and his family attended Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, IA where he made profession of faith.

While growing up, when not working on the farm, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and wrestling with his siblings. These years instilled in him a work ethic that would sustain him throughout the remainder of his life.

On April 9, 1976, he was united in marriage to Jayne DeKock in Oskaloosa, IA and their son Joshua was born. On October 20, 1977, Jim was involved in a tragic farming accident where he suffered the loss of his lower legs leaving him wheelchair bound, giving him an opportunity to become an advocate for the handicapped for the next 40+ years.

Following his accident, Jim and his family moved to Centerville where he attended Indian Hills Community College and their daughter Jessica was born. After obtaining his degree in Mechanical Drafting, Jim and Jayne's lives took a different direction and they later divorced.

Jim was united in marriage to Kyla Vander Ploeg at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA on May 13, 1983. They resided in Ames where he continued his education at Iowa State University earning a degree in Dairy Science. While in Ames, their daughter Jamie was born. Jim was President of Handicapped Student Organization at ISU and played on the Rolling Clones, a wheelchair basketball team.

In 1984, Jim and his family moved home to Monroe, took over the family farm, and their son, Gabriel was born. Jim continued farming until 1997, while he and Kyla raised their two children. After retiring from farming, he utilized his many skills helping whomever he could with whatever project they needed completed. Jim was a jack of all trades and thought of his skid loader, golf cart and four-wheeler as a glorified wheelchair. The door was always open and the house was a playground to many of the kids' friends. They enjoyed swimming in the pool, hide-and-seek in the dark, and experiencing the anti-air machine.

Memories made in his home are filled with belly laughs, egg sandwiches, and home-made ice cream. It was not uncommon to find him at the Maid-Rite and throw some cheeseballs on his tab.

Later in life, he and Kyla enjoyed spending time with friends and family watching live music and would travel near and far for a Bruce Springsteen concert. Jim's last hurrah was his house upon the hill with the perfect view, where he chose to take his last breath.

Jim loved nothing more than having a cup of coffee and conversation with family and friends. There was no table too small for more to gather and no time not right for coffeetime. He was blessed with his Dutch heritage and would never pass up an almond flavored treat. He was a natural entertainer and loved to capture the kids' attention with his magic tricks. He rarely went without a pocket full of peppermints and would never pass up giving a wheelchair ride on his lap, with a couple of wheelies for good measure.

In his last hours, he reminded his grandchildren to remember him once in a while and to make sure they prayed for everyone and every thing.
It has been said that Jim was one-of-a-kind and cannot possibly be described with words as he was so much to so many. He didn't know a stranger and would always greet you with a sometimes-inappropriate joke. He is known for limitless humor and a larger-than-life personality. He proved throughout his life that he had the ultimate perseverance overcoming so many trials and tribulations. Jim built his own special relationship with each person he ever met with his orneriness, infectious smile, quick wit and compassionate spirit--he was an inspiration to all, loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

Jim is survived by his wife Kyla of Monroe, IA and his four children and their families:
Joshua (Caron) Bandstra; Charlie Bandstra & Ella Thompson of Waukee, IA
Jessica (Brandon) Blommers; Presley, Sadie & Gibson Blommers of Oskaloosa, IA
Jamie Bandstra; special grand-dog Cork of Waukee, IA
Gabriel (Nicole) Bandstra; Lily, Lux, River, Violet & Rowan Bandstra of Monroe, IA
Jim is also survived by his siblings Karla & Scott Baxter of Newton, Ron Bandstra of Pella, Jerry & Deb Bandstra of Pella, Lisa & Dave Wagner of Prairie City, Rob & Kim Bandstra of Pella and his sibling-in-laws Kurt & Carol Vander Ploeg of Pella, Kristy & Dale Dixon of Monroe, Karlin & Darrell Hjortshoj of Monroe, Kathy Van Veen of Monroe and Kit & Kathy Vander Ploeg of Monroe, along with many nieces and nephews that he loved like his own. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents and his parents-in-law, Arthur & Lila Vander Ploeg.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 2pm in the afternoon at the First Baptist Church in Monroe, Iowa with Pastor Jason Burns officiating. Visitation will be held Monday evening, April 5, 2021 from 5-8pm at the First Baptist Church in Monroe, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Monroe Ambulance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com ~ The Coburn Funeral Home, Monroe, Iowa 31 mar 2021.