Marion Veenstra, 79, passed away Mar. 19, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services were held on Mar. 23 at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Memorial donations may be given to World Renew or Iowa Veterans Home of Marshalltown.
Marion was born Sept. 9, 1938, to Richard and Gertie (Vander Molen) Veenstra, in Taintor. Marion graduated from Peoria Christian Grade School and was a member of Peoria Christian Reformed Church.
Marion joined the U.S. Army Aug. 3, 1959, and was honorably discharged on July 9, 1962. This was during a time of peace, so he served most of the time in Germany. When he returned, he worked for Kooyman Lumber, Van Weelden Construction, and Pella Precast until his retirement in 2002.
In November 2004, Marion suffered a series of strokes which left him blind and unable to walk on his own. After an extended period of hospital stays, he went to live at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown in July 2005. He gained many friends among the residents and staff, and was able to participate in a variety of activities. He enjoyed the weekly chapel services and unit devotions provided by the chaplains. He also appreciated the letters, cards, and visits from fellow church members, relatives, friends, and family. During all these years, he never complained about his affliction.
Those left to cherish his memory are his siblings: Wilbur R. (Marilyn) Veenstra of Pella, Bernice (Ralph) Van Soelen of Newton, John Veenstra of Oskaloosa, and Gretta Veenstra of Pella.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law Donna (Hall) Veenstra.
