Jacob Veenstra Jr.

Jacob Veenstra, Jr. was born at home in Atwood on September 23, 1939, to Jacob and Engberdena (VanderHeide) Veenstra. At the age of 85, with his loved ones by his side, the Lord called him home on March 1, 2025, on the same property where he was born.

Jacob attended Ebenezer Christian School through the 8th grade. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1957.

On May 31, 1963, he married the love of his life, Janice (Anderson), who survives. He was drafted into the Army. In June of 1963, he left for basic training and then was shipped to Okinawa, Japan. He served his time there and was honorably discharged in March of 1965. Throughout the years, he participated in the Memorial Day activities with the local American Legion.

Over the years, Jacob wore many different hats. He spent 36 years on the Banks Township Fire Department as a fireman and EMT.

Although he had no formal training, general accounting was his niche, and he spent many years working as a bookkeeper and as a treasurer of various organizations including Banks Township and the Ebenezer Christian School.

He loved working with wood. All of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a token of love from grandpa. He also made many rocking horses for the Moms and Tots Center in Ellsworth.

His greatest ministry was his beautiful singing. He spent many years proclaiming his love for the Lord through song. He sang with the New Life Singers and The Sounds of the King. He sang with a barbershop group in Petoskey for many years and yearly with the community Christmas Choir of Charlevoix.

Jacob loved to hunt and fish, always looking forward to firearm deer season when the “Deer Camp is Open” sign went up on the door. This listed his name and any grandchildrens’ names that were there hunting. If you got a deer, you got a tally mark. Later on in life, when he could no longer hunt, he enjoyed the yearly activity around him.

Jacob is survived by his wife, Jan. His children, Julie (Dan) DeKorne of Kent City, MI; Jon (Dawn) Veenstra of Meridian, ID; Jennifer (George) Pewinski of Johannesburg, MI. His 12 grandchildren, Dan (Molly); Josh (Monica); Elizabeth; Josiah (Elly); Jeremiah (Megan); Caleb (Baylie); Jesse; Maggie; Jacob; Evelyn; Hannah; and Rachael. His 21 great-grandchildren; Sisters-Flora Wynsma and Jennie VandeKieft; Sisters-In-Law-Arlene Veenstra and Patsy Veenstra. He was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and great-granddaughter, Kenzi.

The family would like to thank AdvisaCare for their compassionate care and support, especially nurses, Tina and Rob; Chaplain Wallace and case worker, Mary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Eastport Baptist Church Mission Fund or the Banks Township Fire Department.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ellsworth Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at the Eastport Baptist Church with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Spring burial will take place in the Atwood Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ellsworth Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.