Afton Eugene Terpstra was born to Harry and Nellie (Van Kooten) Terpstra on March 26, 1940, in Killduff, Iowa. After high school he worked at T&D Department Store, De Jong Lumber, and Steenhoek Auto Parts in Pella, Iowa. During the Vietnam War Afton spent six years with the Army Reserves. On June 5, 1964, Afton and Kathleen Joyce Derksen were united in marriage in Waupun, Wisconsin and spent their entire married life living in the Pella area. They shared 52 years together and were blessed with two sons, Gregory James & Kelly Gene. Afton spent 32 years of his employment with Pella Corporation, retiring in 2000. During this time his family grew to include a daughter-in-law, Brenda Sue Vande Krol, and grandchildren, Carr James Terpstra and Chanel Lea Terpstra. Then in July, 2016 Afton was able to attend the wedding he'd anticipated of Carr James & Allyson Marie Veatch.
Afton enjoyed raising animals, especially horses and more recently goats. He also loved to ride and show horses. He and Kathy traveled to many places and liked to spend part of the winter in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and other southern states. They also loved to visit Estes Park, Colorado annually. Some of the most memorable were the family vacations to Chicago, Estes Park, Oklahoma and Florida. Family was No.1 with Afton. He never missed a Christmas driving his family to Waupun to visit relatives. Sunday evenings were spent with everyone gathering at Pappy & Gram Terpstra. One of his favorite times each day was spent with friends at the Tracy Coop in Tracy, Iowa. He felt so grateful for their unending support. He was always so glad to see Carson Kelderman come with his father to visit one-on-one with adults. He liked to spend Saturdays in the fall watching Nebraska football, hoping for a win. In January of 2015, Afton was diagnosed with colon cancer and received 31 subsequent treatments. His time in the infusion center was tolerated thanks to Betty , Mary Jo, & Leann and their encouragement to never give up. With their help and God's strength, Afton fought the good fight, kept the faith, and never complained.
On Friday, February 10, 2017, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 76 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years:
Kathy Terpstra of Harvey, Iowa and their two sons and families:
Greg and Brenda Terpstra of Johnston, Iowa
Carr and Allyson Terpstra of Des Moines, Iowa
Chanel Terpstra of Iowa City, Iowa
Kelly Terpstra of Ottumwa, Iowa
Afton leaves his sister, Neola Kooyman of Pella, a brother, Russell Terpstra and wife, Susie of Numa, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Mary Ann (Harley Terpstra) Ferguson of Grinnell, Iowa, Ellen (Clifford) Derksen and a brother-in-law, Arnold Visser both of Waupun, Wisconsin; and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nellie Terpstra; a brother in infancy; his older brother, Harley Terpstra; his brother-in-law, Marvin Kooyman; his parents-in-law, Casey and Kate (Harmsen) Derksen; two sisters-in-law, Grace Visser and Kathryn Derksen; and two brothers-in-law, Warren Derksen, and Clifford Derksen. After making profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church, Afton was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa for 45 years.
[Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]
Afton enjoyed raising animals, especially horses and more recently goats. He also loved to ride and show horses. He and Kathy traveled to many places and liked to spend part of the winter in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and other southern states. They also loved to visit Estes Park, Colorado annually. Some of the most memorable were the family vacations to Chicago, Estes Park, Oklahoma and Florida. Family was No.1 with Afton. He never missed a Christmas driving his family to Waupun to visit relatives. Sunday evenings were spent with everyone gathering at Pappy & Gram Terpstra. One of his favorite times each day was spent with friends at the Tracy Coop in Tracy, Iowa. He felt so grateful for their unending support. He was always so glad to see Carson Kelderman come with his father to visit one-on-one with adults. He liked to spend Saturdays in the fall watching Nebraska football, hoping for a win. In January of 2015, Afton was diagnosed with colon cancer and received 31 subsequent treatments. His time in the infusion center was tolerated thanks to Betty , Mary Jo, & Leann and their encouragement to never give up. With their help and God's strength, Afton fought the good fight, kept the faith, and never complained.
On Friday, February 10, 2017, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 76 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years:
Kathy Terpstra of Harvey, Iowa and their two sons and families:
Greg and Brenda Terpstra of Johnston, Iowa
Carr and Allyson Terpstra of Des Moines, Iowa
Chanel Terpstra of Iowa City, Iowa
Kelly Terpstra of Ottumwa, Iowa
Afton leaves his sister, Neola Kooyman of Pella, a brother, Russell Terpstra and wife, Susie of Numa, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Mary Ann (Harley Terpstra) Ferguson of Grinnell, Iowa, Ellen (Clifford) Derksen and a brother-in-law, Arnold Visser both of Waupun, Wisconsin; and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nellie Terpstra; a brother in infancy; his older brother, Harley Terpstra; his brother-in-law, Marvin Kooyman; his parents-in-law, Casey and Kate (Harmsen) Derksen; two sisters-in-law, Grace Visser and Kathryn Derksen; and two brothers-in-law, Warren Derksen, and Clifford Derksen. After making profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church, Afton was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa for 45 years.
[Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]
Afton Eugene Terpstra was born to Harry and Nellie (Van Kooten) Terpstra on March 26, 1940, in Killduff, Iowa. After high school he worked at T&D Department Store, De Jong Lumber, and Steenhoek Auto Parts in Pella, Iowa. During the Vietnam War Afton spent six years with the Army Reserves. On June 5, 1964, Afton and Kathleen Joyce Derksen were united in marriage in Waupun, Wisconsin and spent their entire married life living in the Pella area. They shared 52 years together and were blessed with two sons, Gregory James & Kelly Gene. Afton spent 32 years of his employment with Pella Corporation, retiring in 2000. During this time his family grew to include a daughter-in-law, Brenda Sue Vande Krol, and grandchildren, Carr James Terpstra and Chanel Lea Terpstra. Then in July, 2016 Afton was able to attend the wedding he'd anticipated of Carr James & Allyson Marie Veatch.
Afton enjoyed raising animals, especially horses and more recently goats. He also loved to ride and show horses. He and Kathy traveled to many places and liked to spend part of the winter in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and other southern states. They also loved to visit Estes Park, Colorado annually. Some of the most memorable were the family vacations to Chicago, Estes Park, Oklahoma and Florida. Family was No.1 with Afton. He never missed a Christmas driving his family to Waupun to visit relatives. Sunday evenings were spent with everyone gathering at Pappy & Gram Terpstra. One of his favorite times each day was spent with friends at the Tracy Coop in Tracy, Iowa. He felt so grateful for their unending support. He was always so glad to see Carson Kelderman come with his father to visit one-on-one with adults. He liked to spend Saturdays in the fall watching Nebraska football, hoping for a win. In January of 2015, Afton was diagnosed with colon cancer and received 31 subsequent treatments. His time in the infusion center was tolerated thanks to Betty , Mary Jo, & Leann and their encouragement to never give up. With their help and God's strength, Afton fought the good fight, kept the faith, and never complained.
On Friday, February 10, 2017, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 76 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years:
Kathy Terpstra of Harvey, Iowa and their two sons and families:
Greg and Brenda Terpstra of Johnston, Iowa
Carr and Allyson Terpstra of Des Moines, Iowa
Chanel Terpstra of Iowa City, Iowa
Kelly Terpstra of Ottumwa, Iowa
Afton leaves his sister, Neola Kooyman of Pella, a brother, Russell Terpstra and wife, Susie of Numa, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Mary Ann (Harley Terpstra) Ferguson of Grinnell, Iowa, Ellen (Clifford) Derksen and a brother-in-law, Arnold Visser both of Waupun, Wisconsin; and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nellie Terpstra; a brother in infancy; his older brother, Harley Terpstra; his brother-in-law, Marvin Kooyman; his parents-in-law, Casey and Kate (Harmsen) Derksen; two sisters-in-law, Grace Visser and Kathryn Derksen; and two brothers-in-law, Warren Derksen, and Clifford Derksen. After making profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church, Afton was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa for 45 years.
[Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]
Afton enjoyed raising animals, especially horses and more recently goats. He also loved to ride and show horses. He and Kathy traveled to many places and liked to spend part of the winter in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and other southern states. They also loved to visit Estes Park, Colorado annually. Some of the most memorable were the family vacations to Chicago, Estes Park, Oklahoma and Florida. Family was No.1 with Afton. He never missed a Christmas driving his family to Waupun to visit relatives. Sunday evenings were spent with everyone gathering at Pappy & Gram Terpstra. One of his favorite times each day was spent with friends at the Tracy Coop in Tracy, Iowa. He felt so grateful for their unending support. He was always so glad to see Carson Kelderman come with his father to visit one-on-one with adults. He liked to spend Saturdays in the fall watching Nebraska football, hoping for a win. In January of 2015, Afton was diagnosed with colon cancer and received 31 subsequent treatments. His time in the infusion center was tolerated thanks to Betty , Mary Jo, & Leann and their encouragement to never give up. With their help and God's strength, Afton fought the good fight, kept the faith, and never complained.
On Friday, February 10, 2017, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 76 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years:
Kathy Terpstra of Harvey, Iowa and their two sons and families:
Greg and Brenda Terpstra of Johnston, Iowa
Carr and Allyson Terpstra of Des Moines, Iowa
Chanel Terpstra of Iowa City, Iowa
Kelly Terpstra of Ottumwa, Iowa
Afton leaves his sister, Neola Kooyman of Pella, a brother, Russell Terpstra and wife, Susie of Numa, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Mary Ann (Harley Terpstra) Ferguson of Grinnell, Iowa, Ellen (Clifford) Derksen and a brother-in-law, Arnold Visser both of Waupun, Wisconsin; and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nellie Terpstra; a brother in infancy; his older brother, Harley Terpstra; his brother-in-law, Marvin Kooyman; his parents-in-law, Casey and Kate (Harmsen) Derksen; two sisters-in-law, Grace Visser and Kathryn Derksen; and two brothers-in-law, Warren Derksen, and Clifford Derksen. After making profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church, Afton was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa for 45 years.
[Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]
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