Jennie Westra

Jennie Westra, age 93 of Waupun, died peacefully on Monday, April 12, 2010, at the Christian Home of Waupun where she has resided for the past sixteen months.

Jennie was born on December 13, 1916 at the family home in Columbia County, a daughter of Samuel and Hattie (Westra) Katsma. She was united in marriage to Henry Fisher in September of 1937, and they were engaged in farming in the Randolph and Markesan areas. Jennie lost Henry her husband of twenty-eight years in 1966. In December of 1968, she married Henry Slager, and they spent most of their married life in Florida. After twenty-five years of marriage, Henry was called to his heavenly home in 1993. In June of 1995, Jennie married Henry Westra, and they lived on a farm near Randolph. Jennie outlived her third husband, who passed away in 2003, and lived independently in Fox Lake and Beaver Dam until she was afflicted with a stroke at the age of 92. She then moved into the Christian Home in Waupun. Jennie had a talent for crafts, and spent many hours making quilts and afghans for her family. She was especially gifted in her ability to create weaved baskets. She had a generous, giving nature, and her family, neighbors and friends often received help from Jennie without having to ask. Jennie was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Beaver Dam.

Jennie is survived by four children, Stanley (Vicki) Fisher, Bushnell, FL; Helen Glewen, Beaver Dam; Shirley (Arlyn) Vant Hoff, Waupun; Henry James (Barbara) Fisher, Sibley, IA; twelve grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a stepson, Delmar (Julienne) Slager, Cambria; a stepdaughter, Marilyn (Robert) Rhodes, Beaver Dam; stepsons, Lawrence (Judy) Westra, Beaver Dam; Jerold (Mary Ann) Westra, Randolph; stepdaughters, Mary (Duane) Raabe, Rhinelander; Donna (Jeff) Hyslop, Eagle River; eleven step-grandchildren; twenty step-great-grandchildren; six sisters, Katie Boorsma, Randolph; Elsie Winkel, Waupun; Dorothy Leystra, Cambria; Evelyn Vander Galien, Friesland; Ann (Sebert) Kooima, Sioux Falls, SD; Carol (Ray) Moat, Oregon, WI; three brothers, Clarence (Gertie) Katsma, Cambria; Gerald (Pauline) Katsma, Oostburg; Dewey Katsma, Friesland; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Katsma, Oostburg. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; a granddaughter, Beth Glewen; a son-in-law, Claryn Glewen; a sister, Gertie Slager; and a brother, Ted Katsma.

A Service to Celebrate Jennie’s Life will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 215 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, with Dr. Jack Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in the Randolph Cemetery.

Jennie’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 West Main Street, Waupun, and on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m.until the hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Jennie’s name.