Marion Terpstra, 77, of New Sharon died Sept 1, 2021. Funeral ser-vices were at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorials have been designated for Hope Ministries and SWIM (Safe Water International Ministries).
Marion Wayne Terpstra was born Feb. 10, 1944, to Cecil and Elsie (Van Oonen) Terpstra. Marion attended country school in his early years and was a 1962 graduate of Pella High School.
Aug. 6, 1965, he was united in marriage to Nancy Jansen in Sully. To this union, they were blessed with two children, Julie and Ross. Marion was engaged in farming until 1983. When farming became difficult, with high interest rates, they realized they needed something to supplement their income. Marion and Nancy started raising vegetables. This turned into a full-time job and was how they started Terpstra Produce, which lasted almost 40 years. They were drawn closer to the Lord through all of life’s difficulties.
Some of Marion’s favorite hobbies were trapping and fishing, especially with his grandson. He loved children, animals, and nature, and was particularly fond of his basset hound, Flops. Marion was a Chicago Cubs fan, but not so much at the end of this year’s season!
In the last six-plus years, Marion struggled with prostate cancer, which drew them closer to the Lord who walked with them through the valleys. Marion hoped to be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Nancy and their family: Julie (Marty) Van Wyk of Pella, Ross (Amy) Terpstra of New Sharon; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Marion is also survived by his brother Larry (Lil) Terpstra and his brother-in-law Darrel (Barb) Jansen.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Merlin Terpstra, great-grandson Nathaniel Brooks, parents-in-law Case and Florence Jansen, and brother-in-law Larry Jansen.
