Donald Terpstra

Don lived his life devoted to his Christian faith, his family, and his community. Through his everyday actions, he expressed to people around him that they were what brought his life incredible meaning and joy.

Just one year before America fell into the Great Depression, Gerald and Adriana (Beurkens) Terpstra celebrated the birth of their first child. Donald J. Terpstra, born August 30, 1928, became the oldest of the four Terpstra children. The family lived on the west side of Grand Rapids, where the Don and his siblings attended West Leonard and, later, Oakleigh School. Don was a very good student and his grades reflected this fact. He was athletic too, and developed a lifelong love for football as a young high school player. During these high school years, Don also worked for local merchant Ben Duthler, who owned the grocery store on the west side of town. Don made sure that he also took care of his mother and younger brothers. As the oldest in the family, Don took it upon himself to serve as a positive role model for his siblings and help his mother provide for the family.

The Tempstra’s lived outside the city, in what is now the city of Walker. One day, fifteen-year-old Don saw a girl about his age walking past his house; a girl he did not know. When he approached the girl, she revealed that her name was Arlene Schievink and her family lived just down the road. Don was pleased to hear this. Anxious to know Arlene better, he asked her if he could visit her house later that evening. Arlene agreed, but promptly rushed home to persuade her parents to go out for the night. Convincing them that she was fully capable of baby-sitting for a few hours, Arlene succeeded in getting her parents out of house. Don stopped by later in the evening, beginning what would be a lifelong relationship with Arlene.

Don ended up leaving school to put in more hours at the grocery store. With a steady job, he felt ready to propose to Arlene, who eagerly accepted his offer of marriage. They wed in August of 1948, though it was only a matter of two years before Don was drafted into the Army. Don was initially trained as a medic, but when he arrived in Korea, he was retrained as a mail clerk. He enjoyed his job, as well as the opportunity to visit his brother Robert, who was also in Korea at the time. They suffered through a string of mis-communications, but were eventually able to meet. Both men sent letters home recounting their experience, saying that they “sure had a good time.” Their story of meeting up in the midst of war became the basis of an article in the Grand Rapids Press.

Throughout his time in Korea, Don corresponded regularly with his beloved Arlene, who lived with her parents during his absence. Don also finished his high school education while in service. After being honorably discharged he returned to Grand Rapids, where he worked for a construction company called Owen, Ames and Kimble. Don, tired of the construction routine, eventually went into business for himself, working as a cement contractor. Managing his own business, however, turned out to be much more taxing than he anticipated. Don later took a job at Steelcase, a job he landed primarily because his father had worked for the company for a number of years.

Don’s responsibilities at Steelcase involved, among other things, going to France and working there for a short time on company projects. He visited Europe once on his own, but when they asked him to make a second trip, Don insisted that Arlene accompany him. After agreeing that the company would not have to pay Arlene’s way, the couple headed off to France. While Don worked, Arlene became acquainted with their host families. One of these families had a daughter, Natalie, who expressed interest in visiting the United States. Natalie came to stay with Don and Arlene the following summer. It was a delightful experience for everyone, especially Don and Arlene. Having no children of their own, they enjoyed caring for Natalie and getting a little taste of the parental experience. Don continued to work for the Steelcase office furniture manufacturing company for a total of 29 years. He finished as superintendent of the Chair Department.

As a retiree, Don spent his time pursuing his hobbies. He loved to fish for salmon on Lake Michigan in the company of his brothers and nephews. He liked to fish Big Star Lake as well. In fact, it was a place he and Arlene frequented regularly. They had a travel trailer there that served as Don’s fishing base. Later, Arlene and Don also purchased a cabin on Chippewa River in the northern Lower Peninsula. It was a great place to take refuge after a busy week, or just a great place to sit back and relax at anytime. After a few years though, they sold the cabin and spent more and more time at their lake property in Grandville, where they had built a home in the early 1960s.

Besides Arlene and fishing, the other loves of Don’s life were football and baseball. He made it a point to watch football in person or on television, though he always said television viewing was better because he could catch the instant replays. He watched everything from the Lions to U of M to high school games, though the Lions did eventually fall out of favor with Don in his later years. As far as baseball was concerned, Don liked to attend Whitecaps games as often as he could. He and Arlene also traveled to Florida quite often, conveniently arriving just in time to catch spring training. Don insisted the vacations were never planned based on the training schedules, but the fact that they coincided enhanced the vacation experience all the same. Don and Arlene vacationed in Hawaii a couple of times as well. One trip was in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary and the other a chance to share a trip with one of Don’s brothers.

Don loved watching football and baseball, but he loved playing golf. He enjoyed the game just as a fun hobby and a means of exercise, not as a serious competition. He collected golf balls too and amassed an entire file cabinet full of them.

Music was an important part of Don’s life too. Since he had a particular love for hymns, he and Arlene often traveled to Branson, Missouri to attend gospel concerts. Don was a devout Christian who thoroughly enjoyed these musical celebrations of faith. Having established the base of his own faith during his early years at 12th Street Christian Reformed Church and, later, Richmond Reformed, Don had become a man with very high ideals and strict principles, as well as a generous spirit. He would purchase all sorts of bargain-priced products at the store and distribute them to the needy. All of these deeds were always anonymous, however, as Don required no recognition for his generosity. He and Arlene attended and served what had initially been Arlene’s home church, Walker Christian Reformed.

Don’s favorite place was always with Arlene, especially when they could share their time together at home. Even though they traveled extensively, Don and Arlene were known to return early on more than one occasion because Don just loved being there, in the home he and his wife created together.

In the summer of 2004, Don was diagnosed with cancer. His last few months were difficult, but supported by both his family and his faith Don faced this time with continued optimism. His friends and family will always remember his courageous spirit and the remarkable, honorable life he led.

Donald J. Terpstra died Tuesday December 7, 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Adrianna Terpstra. Members of Don’s family include his loving wife of 56 years, Arlene Terpstra; his brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Donna Terpstra, Gerald and Donna Terpstra, Robert and Chris Terpstra; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Herm (Bud) and Elaine DeVries, Helen Terpstra, Gert Dykstra, Har and Henri Schievink, John and Marylee Schievink, Bill and Shirley Schievink; and many loving nieces, nephews and aunts and uncles.

Relatives and friends may visit with Don’s family Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr, N.W. A Life Story Service will be held at the same location on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Rosedale Memorial Park with Military Honors under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a personal memory or make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.