James Veenstra

Jim Veenstra was one of those guys everyone was glad to know. He loved swapping stories about his World War II experiences or fishing, and he was always game for a lively debate. He played as hard as he worked, kept the best lawn in the neighborhood and shared more than 40 years with the love of his life, Char, with whom he created the family he treasured. Jim was a dedicated father, a true patriot, and a man of faith whose memory will be forever cherished by those he leaves behind.

The year 1917 was one of promise in America. The nation had emerged from World War I as a world leader and was working toward finding viable solutions for social issues that had plagued the nation for years. A minimum wage law was finally passed while women were making progress toward gaining equal rights. But for Seblo and Hattie (Zylstra) Veenstra, this was a year to remember for another reason: they welcomed their son James into the world on September 17. Born in Antrim County, Michigan, in the Northern region of the state, James was the second of four children. Between James, his older sister, Mary, and his younger brothers, John and Bernie, his mother, a homemaker, and his father, a farmer who immigrated from the Netherlands kept busy.

Jim was raised on the family farm in the Charlevoix area where he attended local schools through the eighth grade. It was commonplace for young people of this generation to leave school before completing their education to work on their farms as Jim did. Life on the farm was filled with adventures of all kinds. Fishing, swimming and exploring were favorites. Tragedy struck early in Jim’s life with the death of his brother John when John was just 12 years old. This was particularly difficult for the Veenstra family as they were a close knit group.

As a young man, Jim was drafted into the Army, but was turned down because he was partially blind in one eye. He was later given the green light, joined up and served from October 1942 through April 1946. Jim was stationed in Sault Ste. Marie, where he was present for the building of the MacArthur Locks in 1943, and was later sent overseas to Europe. He primarily drove a truck for the Army.

After the war, great changes were in store for Jim. He met the woman with whom he would share an enduring love, Charlotte DeBok. They met downtown Grand Rapids through Jim’s cousin, John Brown, and Char’s friend, Gert. After dating for a time, Jim and Charlotte eloped to Indiana and were married on December 30, 1954. The couple purchased a home at 1446 Valley, which was the only home they ever owned. Soon after they married, Jim and Char were blessed to become parents to three wonderful children: Don in 1955, Deb in 1957, and Dan in 1959. Jim worked to support his family for Jervis Corporation and later for Michigan Wheel. When he took time off from work, the family often took road trips, during which Jim made it his mission to get to their destination in record time, never stopping along the way. Through the years, they visited Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, Tennessee and Kentucky. They also rented cottages in Northern Michigan during the summers.

Between building a family and working hard for his lot, Jim still found time for other things he loved. Jim was always buying boats and cars, fixing them up and reselling them, never for the profit, just for the simple joy of doing it. Sometimes it seemed as though he bought a new boat every year! Jim and Char also visited Las Vegas several times with their good friends Pete and Tress Evertse and frequented auctions and flea markets. Jim loved to fish, primarily for bluegill and pike, and he also ice fished and went smelt dipping. During his retirement years, Jim became a great gardener, keeping a luscious, green lawn that was the envy of the entire neighborhood. He loved Opel cars, so much so that rumor still has it he let his daughter, Deb, marry her husband, Jerry, because the couple drove one of these unique cars. The family also attended Twelfth Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids for many years, until Char's health no longer allowed.

Jim was a man of many interests. He liked old time gospel music and when it came to reading, it was The Grand Rapids Press. Jim liked playing cards, especially solitaire and set-back, and he liked sports, mainly to complain about the Tigers and the Lions. He loved being outdoors, regularly mowing the lawn and snow blowing driveways and sidewalks for whole neighborhood. Jim also enjoyed walking all around the neighborhood and later, riding his lawnmower around the block. He liked to argue and debate, especially with his brother Bernie, and remained close with his siblings and their families, getting together on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s every year. Jim was usually tinkering with something and was very creative with his homemade solutions. Later in life, he was delighted to be a grandfather and found so much joy in spending time with his grandchildren. Life did become more challenging for Jim when Char developed Alzheimer’s disease during the early nineties. He tenderly cared for her until 1996 and was deeply saddened with her death in 1998.

Many words can be used to describe James Veenstra – protective, loving, hardworking and compassionate. He could be very stubborn at times, yet he was also kind and thoughtful. Jim was a dedicated father who was so very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was a remarkable man who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

James Veenstra died on August 5, 2010. James is survived by his children, Don (Renae) Veenstra, Deb (Jerry) Coon, and Dan (Kelli) Veenstra; and grandchildren, Dr. Stephanie (Devon) Cunningham, Kimberly Coon, Nicole Veenstra, Andrew Veenstra, and Jacob Veenstra; his sisters-in-law, Hattie Veenstra, Marcia (John) Johnson, and Phyllis DeBok. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 851 Leonard St. NW. Friends may visit with his family from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Christian Rest Home Foundation or Spectrum Health Hospice.