John Veenstra's Obituary
John D. Veenstra, 71, of Temple City, California, native of Jefferson, Iowa, died, August 10, 2010 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center – Des Moines, Iowa due to an earlier fall and a brain hemorrhage, surrounded by his loving family. Private Graveside Services were held Friday, August 13, 2010 in his hometown of Jefferson, Iowa. A local memorial service is being planned and is tentatively scheduled for late September or early October. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory (www.snellzornig.com)- Clinton, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements. John Dean Veenstra was born on June 7, 1939 in Jefferson, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Ruth (Neidigh) Veenstra. He married Barbara Makela on August 6, 1988 in Pasadena, California. John was a 1957 graduate of Jefferson High School. He then attended Northeast Missouri State. He enlisted in the United States Army. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he enrolled and graduated from Drake University. John was employed with Knight Ridder Newspapers, working in numerous papers around the country. Eventually he settled in this area becoming the managing editor of the Pasadena Star News in the mid 1980s. He was also the Executive Director of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce. John served as past President of the Kiwanis Club Tallahassee, Florida, past Board Member of the Monrovia Rotary Club. He served as Treasurer of the Monrovia Boys and Girls Club, Board Member of the YMCA Monrovia, California, actively involved with Monrovia Reads, and a member of the Jefferson Elks Club. In 2006, John was named Volunteer of the Year of the San Gabriel Valley Boy Scouts of America. John lived and enjoyed life to its fullest. He was an avid Jimmy Buffett fan, enjoyed watching all sports, while drinking his beloved Bud-Light, watching his favorite Florida State Seminoles and Denver Broncos. He enjoyed playing golf, carding a hole in one in Durham, NC and Azusa, CA. He enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. John is survived by his wife: Barbara of Temple City, California, two daughters: Jody Wilken of Plantation, Florida, Jerri (COL Thomas) Isom, of Suffolk, Virginia; one step-daughter: Teri Neblung of Citrus Heights, California, one step-son: Bill Makela of Rosemead, California; six grandchildren: Jonas Wilken, Audrey Isom, Ruby Isom, Ashlyn Gibson, Alan Gibson, and Kacie Neblung; his mother: Ruth Veenstra-Hedges and her husband: Horace Hedges of Jefferson, Iowa; one sister: Joyce (Bill) Evans of Urbandale, Iowa, his brother: Jim (Sally) Veenstra of Clinton, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Veenstra. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to City of Hope in Duarte, or to Santa Anita Family Services in Monrovia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to City of Hope – Duarte, California.
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