Marion Terpstra

Marion Wayne Terpstra was born February 10, 1944, to Cecil and Elsie (Van Oonen) Terpstra. Marion attended country school in his early years, and was a 1962 graduate of Pella Community High School.

On August 6, 1965, he was united in marriage to Nancy Jansen in Sully, Iowa. To this union, they were blessed with two children: Julie and Ross. Marion was engaged in farming until 1983. When farming became difficult, with high interest rates, they realized they needed something to supplement their income. Marion and Nancy started raising vegetables. This turned into a full-time job and was how they started Terpstra Produce, which lasted almost 40 years. They were drawn closer to the Lord through all of life’s difficulties.   

Some of Marion’s favorite hobbies were trapping and fishing, especially with his grandson. He loved children, animals and nature, and was particularly fond of his basset hound, Flops. Marion was a Chicago Cubs fan, but not so much at the end of this year’s season! 

In the last six-plus years, Marion struggled with prostate cancer which drew them closer to the Lord who walked with them through the valleys. Marion hopes to be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Nancy, and their family:

Julie and Marty Van Wyk of Pella

            Kelli Van Wyk

                        Makenzie, Alexander, Lexie, Ryker

            Ashley Van Wyk

                        Jaxson

Ross and Amy (Vander Werf) Terpstra of New Sharon

            Emma Terpstra

            Samuel Terpstra

Marion was also survived by his brother Larry and Lil Terpstra, and his brother-in-law Darrel and Barb Jansen.  

Marion was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Elsie Terpstra, his brother Merlin Terpstra, great grandson Nathaniel Brooks, parents-in-law Case and Florence Jansen, and brother-in-law Larry Jansen.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.