- Date Of Birth: June 26, 1956
- Date Of Death: April 15, 2010
- State: Iowa
Debra Jolene Veenstra, age 53, died at her home in Otley, Iowa Thursday, April 15, 2010 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Deb was born June 26, 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa and met her husband Ed Veenstra while attending Central College. They were married October 21, 1977 and made a home in Otley, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her step-father Albert Salvetti; aunt Doris Ann Rhoads; grandfather Wilbur Rhoads; grandmother Bertha Rhoads; infant brother Dennis Appell and her infant daughter.
She is survived by her husband Ed Veenstra and daughters Amy (Shawn) Smith and Jenny (Will) Van Weelden; as well as her grandson, Carter Smith. She is also survived by her mother Wilma Salvetti; sister Diane Jackson; sister Denise (Glenn) Cecil; sister Donelle Windhorst; and brother David (Stacey) Appell; brother-in-law John (Betty) Veenstra; brother-in-law Marvin Veenstra; brother-in-law Charles (Marlene) Veenstra; brother-in-law Bernie (Nella) Veenstra; and sister-in-law Carrie Ann (Phil) Bloem as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Deb will be remembered for her strength, kindness and rock collecting. She had a large heart that extended into her work at the Christian Opportunity Center and her love of cooking sweets for her family. At times, she was almost a regular at Pella Pets while she rescued various cats and dogs. If things had been different, Deb would have spent time her free time this spring going to antique stores and mushrooming. Her love of sight-seeing led to her and Ed vacationing all over the country. She encouraged her children to pursue whatever they wanted and supported them completely in their choices. Thanks to Hospice of Pella, Deb’s last wish to die peacefully at home was fulfilled.
10:30 A.M., Monday, April 19, 2010
Pella, Iowa
Sunday, April 18, 2010
1:00-3:00 P.M.
Pella, Iowa
Hospice of Pella
Pella, Iowa
