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, Huxley
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.
