Marvin Westra

Marvin Leroy Westra, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and "grandpa-great" passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 16, 2023. Marv was born February 7, 1934, in Rock Valley, Iowa to Henry and Tena (Brunsting) Westra. He was the oldest of four children (Carol, Mary, Harold). As the eldest son of a farmer, he naturally grew up to become a farmer himself. He met his wife, Judy (DeHaan) in 1954 and they were married on June 9, 1955. In November of 1955, Marv was drafted into the United States Army and served two years active duty at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Upon discharge, Marv returned to northwest Iowa with Judy and their young son, Herlan, to continue farming. Two more children followed - Marlys and Terry. When farming was no longer profitable, Marv worked as a milk truck driver and then became a plumber. He moved his family from the farm in Hull to Sioux Center in 1966. In 1968, Marv took a leap of faith and moved his family to Jenison, Michigan where their fourth child, Jodi, was born. Marv worked as a licensed commercial plumber and pipefitter on new construction projects throughout West Michigan. The family joined Fair Haven Church where Marv was a Sunday school teacher for 19 years. He also served as a deacon and elder and sang bass in the church choir. In 1972, he spent six weeks in Chiapas, Mexico with a small group from Fair Haven to build houses for missionaries. Having not finished high school as a teen due to farming demands, Marv returned to school and earned his high school diploma from Jenison Public Schools in 1976. He continued working until age 55, when a back injury forced him into early retirement. Retirement was not for him though, and he decided to work part-time at Fair Haven as custodial staff and in later years, volunteered at LOVE. In 2000, Marv and Judy transferred to Hudsonville Reformed Church, where they remain members. When he was not working, serving at church, or with his family, Marv enjoyed woodworking, camping, fixing things, helping anyone who needed a hand, traveling, and volunteering. He spent time researching and creating family trees, dating all the way back to the 1400s. Marv loved spending time with his two granddaughters, Jessica and Tena, watching them grow up and supporting them in their school and church activities. While the family will indeed miss Marv, they are comforted and reassured by their faith and belief that he is now home with his Heavenly Father. Parkinson's Disease took its toll on Marv over the last year, and knowing Marv is no longer suffering provides a deep joy and sense of relief for all who knew and loved him. Marv is survived by his wife of 68 years, Judy Westra; his sons, Herlan (Harriet) Westra and Terry (Szilvia) Westra; his daughters, Marlys Materson and Jodi (Earl) Smith; his granddaughters, Jessica (Andy) DeYoung and Tena (Jeremy) Nobis; his great-grandchildren, Will and Raela DeYoung; his siblings, Carol Sterk, Mary (Audley) Tensen, and Harold Westra; and a large extended family. A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Hudsonville Reformed Church, 3950 Highland Dr., Hudsonville, MI 49426. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church, with a luncheon to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Marv's honor may be made to the Sunset Manor Benevolence Fund, 725 Baldwin, Jenison, MI 49428 or online at https://www.sunsetcommunities.org/donate/. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marvin Westra, please visit our flower store.