Tina Cornelia Westra was born March 7, 1952, to Cornelis "Case" and Nelly (Verburg) De Haan, in Vinkeveen, Utrecht, the Netherlands. She came to the United States with her parents and four older brothers from the Netherlands on "The Big Bear" when she was 1A½, and they settled in Pella. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 21, 2017, at Comfort House in Pella. Just three weeks ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Bulbar ALS.

Tina attended Pella Christian Grade School and was a 1970 graduate of Pella Christian High School. She went on to study elementary education at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. In 1974, Tina married Bill De Boef and to this union they had three daughters: Rebecca, Naomi and Leah. She married Roger Westra in 1986. Tina retired from Vermeer Manufacturing in 2016, where she was an administrative assistant for 31 years.

Tina was a member of Faith Christian Reformed Church where she was active with many groups over the years.

Throughout her lifetime, Tina enjoyed reading, singing, going to church, eating out, and baking St. Nick cookies and almond bars. She also liked playing piano and singing with her young children surrounding her. Tina excelled as a softball pitcher.

Tina was a fun lady who liked to laugh and enjoy life. She loved her family and was proud of them. She loved worshipping God, and she continued raising her hands up to Him until just a few days before her death, when her arms were too weak to be raised. She also loved people well, and she was a faithful and encouraging friend to everyone who knew her. Tina enjoyed giving close friends and family a full-body hug, even if this took several minutes for her to stand up after this illness had taken away so much of her strength.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Roger and their family:

Rebecca and David Lovell, Peoria
Dylan, William, Elizabeth, Lily, Jake, Carl and Ray
Oliver and Liam

Naomi and Dan Boes, Granger
Ethan, Daniella and Alexander

Leah and Jerod Garland, Pella
Cayla, Eliana and Zoey

Sherri and Bryan Hoy, South Lyon, Michigan
Connor, Sophia and Carson

Corey and Kirra Westra, Pella
Eli, Emree and Elynn

She is also survived by her siblings: Sander and Georgia De Haan of Holland, Michigan, Peter and June De Haan of Holland, Michigan, Case and Paula De Haan of Pella, Guy and Maryan De Haan of Pella, Ralph and LuAnn De Haan of Pella, Frederick and Victoria De Haan of Everett/Mill Creek, Washington, and Corinne Smeda of Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Tina was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation

Beginning at 1:00 P.M., on Monday, July 24, 2017
with family present 4:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Faith Christian Reformed Church

Funeral Services

10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Faith Christian Reformed Church

Memorials

Bethany Christian Services
Hospice of Pella