Marilyn Ann (De Cook) Veenstra was born April 17, 1935, to Ernest and Bess (De Prenger) De Cook in Mahaska County, Iowa.

Marilyn attended Pleasant Grove Country School west of Leighton and was a 1953 graduate of Pella High School.

On October 12, 1955, she was united in marriage to Wilbur R. Veenstra at her parents’ home west of Leighton. To this union they were blessed with four children: Larry, Bruce, Linda and Curtis. They farmed for a few years and moved to an acreage northeast of Leighton in 1966. In 1995 they moved to Pella and enjoyed spending a few winters in Donna, Texas.

Marilyn worked as a cashier for the Oskaloosa Livestock Sale Barn in Oskaloosa for 20 years. She made profession of faith as a young lady at Ebenezer Reformed Church and later was a member of the Leighton Christian Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school, Gems, and Vacation Bible School. Marilyn enjoyed weaving rugs, crafts, and volunteering at the Pella Historical Village.

Marilyn’s children and their families:

Larry and Mary Veenstra

Lacey Veenstra Gay and fiancé Nick Slaven

Dawson

Brooke and Evan Wickenkamp

Harper, Avery

Bruce and Jeannene Veenstra

Kelly and Chris Pierson

Tegan, Bexley, Everly, Kyper

Kyle and Jacey Veenstra

Katelyn, Kinzey, Kennedy, Jayden

Jackie and Jake Michel

Beau, Clay

Linda and the late Kevin De Ronde

John and Lisa De Ronde

Derek

The late Jill De Ronde

Kristin and Jordan Dyk

Gavin, Sienna

Curt Veenstra

Jake Veenstra

Kayson

Micaela (Veenstra) Zach Wilz

Halie Veenstra and fiancé Jeremy

She is also survived by her sister Nancy Van Roekel and sister-in-law Bernice Van Soelen.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur, parents Ernest and Bess De Cook, granddaughter Jill De Ronde, son-in-law Kevin De Ronde, her sister June Van Haaften, and her brothers-in-law: Willis Van Haaften and Harley Van Roekel. 

Memorials may be given to Pella Christian Schools.