Quintin Zylstra, 90, of Pella, passed away late Friday evening, Mar. 31, 2017, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, where he had been a resident since 2011. Funeral services with military honors were held Tuesday, Apr. 4, at 11 a.m. at Second Christian Reformed Church, Pella. Interment followed in the Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorial contributions are suggested for the Pella Christian Grade School.
Quintin Zylstra was born Nov. 30, 1926, near Sully to Reink and Johanna (Rolffs) Zylstra. His early schooling was at Frog Pond Country School, then Sully Christian School and Sully High School. He made profession of his faith at Sully Christian Reformed Church.
Quintin worked on his parents’ farm until he was drafted into the United States Army in December 1950. On Nov. 20, 1950, he and Alice Pleima were united in marriage, and shortly after their marriage, he left for Fort Hood, TX, and was then sent to Germany.
Quintin and Alice were blessed with three children: A son who died in infancy, Kenneth Wayne, and Marilyn Ruth. Following his discharge in November 1952, Quintin worked for Vos Farm Equipment, later buying the business with his brother, Bob Zylstra, which served the Pella area. Quintin later decided to go back into farming. Quintin and his son, Ken, farmed north of Pella until he retired in 1989.
Quintin and Alice then moved to Pella, and following his retirement, he kept busy working for farmers with planting and harvesting.
Quintin and Alice enjoyed traveling and being with their children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren:
Quintin is survived by his wife, Alice (Pleima) Zylstra; two children: Ken (Shirley) Zylstra and Marilyn (Ron) Hoksbergen, all of Pella; five grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Quintin was one of 12 siblings and is also survived by the following sisters and brothers: Joan Bandstra of Pella, Bertha (James) Talsma of Colfax, Revena Gritters and Linda Rus, both of Pella, Rolland “Duke” Zylstra of Sully, Arthur (Verna) Zylstra of Pella; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Harriet Zylstra of Pella and Carla Zylstra of Sully; Nelson Pleima, Effie (Pleima) and Howard Groenendyk, and Lenora Pleima.
Quintin was preceded in death by his infant son; his parents; five brothers and their wives: Rev. Martin and Carol Zylstra, Ludolph and Joann Zylstra, Ivan and Evelyn Zylstra, Robert Zylstra, and Seymour “Zeke” Zylstra; his sister-in-law, Patricia Zylstra; and three brothers-in-law: John Bandstra, Frank Gritters, and Donald Rus.
