Douwe "Dewey" Veenstra was born on February 14, 1936, in Hallum, the province of Friesland, the Netherlands, to Jim (Ynto) and Wilma (Wopkje Van Gunst) Veenstra. At age 16, he immigrated to the United States, and lived with a farmer.

On August 22, 1958, he was united in marriage to Wilma Vernooy in Pella. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Brenda, Steven, and Corwin.

Dewey began his work career at a young age. He attended school in the Netherlands, and started welding at age 12, while standing on an orange crate. Dewey worked at Van Gorp Manufacturing more than twenty years, while working nights at Zylstra Welding. Following that he started Precision Pulley in Pella with five other partners. Then he bought Schiebout Tire Company with his brother and a friend, that they owned for over 30 years.

Dewey loved spending time with his family, and he especially loved being Grandpa to his grandkids and Opa to his great grandkids. He and Wilma enjoyed traveling to their home in Florida, and going out to eat. He really "had a way with people."

He was a member of Connect Church in Pella where he served on the church council.

Dewey is survived by his wife, Wilma Veenstra, and their family:

Brenda Olsthoorn of Pella

David Veenstra Olsthoorn of Pella

Derek Joel & Morgan Olsthoorn of Ames

Elliott Scott

Levi Joel

Steven (the late Melinda) Veenstra of Pella

Paighton Jo Veenstra of Ankeny

Corwin (Sandra) Veenstra of Pella

Kayla Dawn Veenstra of Pella

Courtney Marie Veenstra of Pella

Dewey is also survived by a brother Gerben Veenstra and his wife Kathy of Pella, sister-in-law Jennie Veenstra of Pella, and many nieces and nephews both in the Netherlands as well as the states.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Wilma Veenstra, parents-in-law Cornelius and Grace Vernooy, daughter-in-law Mindy Veenstra, twin brother John Veenstra, brother Gerrit Kingma and his wife Theresa Kingma, sister Tine Bosma, brother-in-law Piet Bosma, and sister-in-law Joann Menninga and her husband Arlan.

Calvin Theological Seminary
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Blank Children's Hospital
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