Franklin Gene Jouwstra

Franklin Gene Jouwstra was born January 6, 1938, on the family farm near Rock Valley, Iowa, to Shirk and Lena (Stegenga) Jouwstra. He attended country school there until 1947 when the family moved to a farm near Tyler, Minn. Frank went to public school in Tyler and graduated from high school in 1956. He was proud to be in FFA. Frank accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in his youth. 

Frank was united in marriage to Shirley Van Steenwyk at the First Reformed Church in Edgerton on December 30, 1960. Following their marriage, they moved to California for one year and then Frank served in the military. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard and Ft. Ord, Missouri, and 10 months at Ft Lewis, Washington. His military speciality was heavy weapons infantry. He was awarded the decorations of Rifle Marksman, Expert Mortar, Expert Sharpshooter, and Recoilers Rifle. He was honorably discharged in 1962. 

They then moved back to California. Frank went to carpenter school and did carpenter work including building and installing cabinets. He also built their first home in Chino, California. They lived there for 15 years and were blessed with three children, Lori, Michael, and Richard. In 1972 they moved to the Leota/Edgerton area where Frank had a dairy and farmed. In 1984 they moved to Ripon, California. Frank built a beautiful house there and he also drove truck. Five years later they moved back to Leota/Edgerton area, where Frank farmed and built his last home. He also drove grain truck for Kevin Kleinjan. They loved to travel and spend time with the children and grandchildren. Shirley was diagnosed with cancer in March 2005 and died at their home in October, 2006, at the age of 67. They celebrated 45 years of marriage together. 

On January 4, 2008, Frank married Hermina (Mina) Van Essen at the First Reformed Church in Edgerton. They enjoyed traveling numerous places and they enjoyed their winters in Hemet, California. 

Frank was a member of First Reformed Church in Edgerton, where he served on consistory as deacon and elder. Frank served as treasurer of Sunday School and loved singing in the church choir. He was also treasurer of Battle Plaine Township and was a member of the Edgerton American Legion. Frank enjoyed traveling, listening to gospel music, and watching many church services on TV. Frank cherished the time spent attending the activities and birthday parties of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Frank was diagnosed with ALS in November 2023. On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Frank died peacefully with family at his side at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 86 years, 28 days.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Hermina, his three children: Lori (Del) Van Essen, Mike (Tricia) Jouwstra, all of Edgerton, Rich Jouwstra of Willmar and Sara Jouwstra of Prinsburg, Minn.; grandchildren Jessica Willems, Krista Sikkema, Brett Jouwstra, Kala Talsma, Devin Jouwstra, Blake Jouwstra, Mara Mouw, Macy Hanson, Kye Jouwstra, Courtney Kooi, Meghan Hylland, Leo Jouwstra, Trey Jouwstra; 19 great-grandhildren; his step-children: Verla Kuiken, Hemet, Calif., Glenn (Marilyn) Van Essen, Pipestone, Minn., Ivan (Diane) Van Essen, Sioux Falls, S.D., 8 step-grandchildren, and 10 step-great-grandchildren; brothers Peter (Sharlene), Jenison, Mich., Jim (Carole) of Menifee, Calif.; sisters Janice (George) Zandt of Omaha, Nebr., Glenda ( Roger) Beukelman of Charlotte, Tenn.: sister-in-law Darlene (Robert) Chalfant, Twin Falls, Idaho, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley, his parents, father- and mother-in-law, Carl and Ada Van Steenwyk, sister, Theresa Tinkenberg, brothers-in-law: Berton Tinklenberg, Clarence Doornbos, Art Bolt, and brother- and sister-in-law, John and Dorothy Fransen.

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