Minnie Westra

Minnie Westra, age 104, of Randolph, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the Golden Living Center – Assisted Living in Randolph where she had been a resident since April, 2006.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the First Reformed Church, 406 S. High Street, Randolph officiated by Rev. Tim Ehrhardt. Interment will be at the Randolph Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

Minnie requested that memorials be made to the Salvation Army or the Rescue Mission in Milwaukee.

The family would like to thank the Golden Living Center staff and Aseracare Hospice for the kindness and compassion given to their mother. Also, thank you to the Hutchinson Memorial Library in Randolph for their large-print inspiring Christian Books which enriched their mother’s life in her later years.


Minnie was born on December 9, 1907, the daughter of Nick and Tina (Visser) Westra in EE, Province of Friesland, The Netherlands. At the age of three, along with her parents and sister, Anna, she immigrated by ship to the United States entering New York Harbor. From there, they were transported by a smaller boat to Ellis Island for health examinations. After they were able to leave, they traveled by train to Wisconsin to begin their new life in America. Sadness came to the family quickly as at the age of six, Minnie’s mother passed away. Her father and two sisters, Anna and Grace, moved back to the Netherlands. Her father remarried and at the age of twelve, the family traveled by ship back to Wisconsin settling on a farm near Randolph.

On June 26, 1930, she was married to Henry J. Westra in rural Fox Lake by the late Rev. John Engelsman. Minnie was a member of the First Reformed Church, Randolph, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Missionary Society and Ladies Aid. She was an avid reader, crocheted Christmas ornaments and knitted slippers for family and friends.

Minnie enjoyed spending time with her four children, nine grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren who survive her: John (Connie) Westra, Westland, MI; Helene Vande Zande, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Clarence (Barbara) Westra, West Bend; Mary Ann (Jerold) Westra, Randolph; nine grandchildren: Larry Vande Zande and Lynn Stephenson, both of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Jeffrey (Karen) Westra, Garden City, MI; Julie (Scott) Grenon, Beaver Dam; Alan (Kim) Westra, Iron Ridge; Brian Westra, West Bend; Randy (Jo) Westra, Elgin, IL; Pam (Bill) Loose, Windsor; and Steven (Kerry) Westra, DeForest; twenty-four great-grandchildren: Matthew, Michael, Justin & Jessica Westra; Michael, Kevin and Laura Vande Zande; Daniel, Jordon, and Nathan Stephenson; Abby, Emily, Elizabeth, and Sarah Grenon; Caiden Westra; Rachael, Kaila, and Zoe Westra; Sara, Amy and Kevin Loose; Brandon, Austin and Amber Westra; nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry in 1998; a son-in-law, Lawrence Vande Zande; a grandson, David Westra; two sisters, Anna Homan and Grace Reyenga; three sisters in infancy; three step-brothers and three step-sisters.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31