John Kamstra

1935 - 2025

John Kamstra, 90, passed away December 10, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospital. Born John Edward Kamstra on July 29, 1935 to Teunis and Gertrude (deJager) Kamstra in Hawarden, Iowa. He was the youngest of 5 children. During the Great Depression, John and his family moved to Artesia, California where his father started a dairy farm. John attended Belflower Christian School until the 8th grade when he chose to quit school to be a milker on the family farm. John was a hard worker. In that time, he was smitten, and later married, an immigrant Dutch girl Grace teVelde on August 10, 1954. They welcomed 4 children within 5 years. They began with a dairy in Artesia. Later in 1966, an opportunity arose and with a 'leap of faith' the family moved to Enumclaw, Washington where they rented a dairy. In 1969 they bought a dairy in Eatonville. John and Grace retired from dairy business in 1997. John was a member Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church and served as a deacon. He and some friends formed the 'fritter group' and met weekly to support each other. John had a passion for bowling. He chose to set it aside to take better care of Grace in her time of need. John also loved to spend time with his grand and great grandchildren. In 2006, John and Grace moved to Graham where he lived until his passing. John is preceded in death by Grace, his parents, brothers Bill, Gib, and sisters Jessie (DeBie) and Geri (VanderTuig) He is survived by children John, Terry, Bob, and Cindy (Tucker).

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