Jacob 'Jake' Westra

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JACOB JAKE WESTRA

BORN
January 22, 1928
Boyden, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
August 7, 2015
Sanborn, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICES
10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 11, 2015
First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Paul Van Maaren Officiating

Visitation will be Monday, August 10, 2015
after 2:00pm with the family present from 5:00 -7:00pm
at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

MUSIC
Where The Roses Never Fade
Sung by: Ken Van Kekerix

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
It Is Well With My Soul
What A Day That Would Be
He The Pearly Gates Will Open
Organist: Mildred Blankers

CASKET BEARERS
Justin Griffith Galen Haack
Jordan Jensen Amelia Stonesifer
Joseph Stonesifer Jacob Stonesifer

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa
Military Flag Presentation by the
Sheldon American Legion
McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145 of Sheldon, IA

Arrangements under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

JACOB JAKE WESTRA
Jacob Jake Westra, the son of Peter J. and Susan (Oldenkamp) Westra was born January 22, 1928 in Boyden Iowa. As a child, he moved with his parents to a farm near Brooten, MN where he started his education in a county school. After a while his folks moved to a farm South East of Boyden, IA, where he finished his 8th grade year at Bell School. He then attended Sheldon High School graduating in 1946. After high school he joined the US Navy during WWII, he did his basic training in San Diego, CA and spent time in the South Pacific. Jake was a Seaman 1st Class and was honorably discharged in 1948; he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal. After the service, Jake worked for A&P Grocery Store as delivery driver. He started cross-country trucking with MidWest Coast Transportation for a number of years before quitting in 1958. He was united in marriage to Alma Adema of Sheldon, IA on November 12, 1958. The young couple made their home on a farm near Wilmont, MN. In 1968, they had farm sale and moved to California, where he drove for Great Western Trucking/Hudd Distribution, Jake retired in 1991. In 1999, they moved back to Sheldon, IA. Jake passed away on August 7, 2015 at the Prairie View Retirement Home in Sanborn, IA reaching the age of 87 years, 6 months and 15 days.
Jake was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, the Sheldon American Legion; McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145, he was a lifetime member of VFW in Lakewood, CA. After his retirement Jake enjoyed tinkering in his garage, woodworking, fixing and building furniture. He loved to camp and fish in the Northern California Mountains. He also enjoyed having coffee with his Hardees buddies.
Survivors include his wife of almost 57 years, Alma; their 3 daughters and spouses: Lauralea (Dale) Griffith of Hesperia, CA; Valerie (Tom) Stonesifer of LeMars, IA; Pamela (Mike) Jensen of LeMars, IA; 6 grandchildren: Justin and Patrick Griffith, Joseph (Crystal) Stonesifer, Amelia Stonesifer and her fianc, Evan Yingst, Jacob Stonesifer and his fianc, Tara Korf and Jordan Jensen; 3 sisters, Suzanna Van Kekerix of Sheldon, IA; Bertha Dammann of Arpin, WI; Hermina (Daryle) Hilbrands of George, IA; 2 brothers, Marlowe (Lulu) Westra of Tacoma, WA and Ronald Westra of Tallahassee, FL; also numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Lee Alan Griffith; a brother, Roger in infancy; 2 brothers-in-law, Howard Van Kekerix and Darrell Dammann.