Joel Robert Veenstra was born October 10, 1969, to Jerry and Rita Veenstra in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Joel attended Peoria Christian School, was a 1988 graduate of Pella Christian High School, and also attended Cornell College and Central College.

On July 13, 1991, he was united in marriage to Lynda Engbers. To this union they were blessed with three children: Andrew, Alex and Caitlin. They later divorced.

Throughout his career, he worked at the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Red Rock, Pella Nursery, J. Farnsworth Pepperdine in New Sharon, Vermeer Corporation, Co-Line Welding, and Ulrich Meat Market.

Joel’s favorite hobby was woodworking. He loved working on any project the kids brought to him or that he came up with himself. He also enjoyed being in the garden. He liked growing anything from flowers to green beans for the local farmers' market. In the time that he wasn’t gardening or woodworking, you could normally find him watching a documentary or drinking a Mountain Dew. His favorite part of all was hanging out with his family, especially his grandson Javen. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his family:

Andrew Veenstra, Searsboro

Alex (Kirsten) Veenstra, Oskaloosa

     Javen and baby due in November

Caitlin Veenstra, Searsboro

Joel is also survived by his parents Jerry and Rita Veenstra of Pella, and brother Darrell and Angela Veenstra and their sons Blake and Trevor of Lynnville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to American Stroke Association or the Peoria Christian School.