Edna Veenstra

Edna Christine Veenstra was born on December 1, 1916 in Callender, IA to Peter Hanson and Mary Peterson. Growing up she worked hard delivering the farm’s produce and being a responsible oldest sister to her siblings, Pearl Odell (deceased), Garland (Betty) Hanson of Callender, IA, Goldie Davis of Ft Dodge, IA, Eldon Hanson (deceased), and Norva Brueland (deceased).

She graduated from AIB in Des Moines in 1935 where she made life-long friends in the Alpha Iota sorority and went to work as a bookkeeper for John Hancock Insurance agency. She was a devoted wife to Glenn Veenstra and enjoyed taking special vacations with him and nursing him through health problems for 56 years before his death. She was a loving mother to her four sons, Glenn Jr. (Joyce) of Wichita, KS, Larry (Mary) of Arden Hills, MN, Richard of Syracuse, NY, and Kevin (Rachel) of Mendota Heights, MN. Her sons will always remember her care and support as will her eight grandchildren, Christina, Elizabeth (Brandon) Martin, Heather, Matthew (Jaehyun) Veenstra, Thomas, Kaitlin, John, and Brian. Two young great-grandchildren, Oscar Veenstra and Avelyn Martin will grow up sustained by the strong families that she nurtured.

Besides being a conscientious hard worker, Edna was an enjoyable companion to many whom she enjoyed socializing with at Plymouth Church, the Alpha Iota sorority, the Sons of Norway, and both Plymouth Place and the Lodge of Ashworth. Her life was hard at times, but she survived health problems including breast cancer and four bone breaks with a positive and determined spirit that enabled her to live independently until she died, just 3 days short of her 99th birthday. She will be remembered for her hard work, caring love, pleasant companionship, and positive attitude.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association.