Jennie Dragstra was born on April 19, 1931 in Doon, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Jennie (Brouwer) Brands. She received her education at the Christian School in Rock Valley, Iowa. After completing her education she was an assistant caregiver for many families in the area. She also worked in a grocery store in Inwood, Iowa for two years where she met her best girl friend, Viola Boersma. Jennie met Joseph Dragstra and after he returned from the service the two were united in marriage on January 2, 1953 at the Christian Reformed Church in Inwood. They lived in different areas of Iowa and South Dakota, finally moving to Edgerton, Minnesota in 1974. When her children were all in school she worked at Southwest MN Christian High School in Edgerton for 23 years as a cook. She enjoyed several of her retirement years helping Joe as janitor at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. In December of 2011, Jennie moved into the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton where she died peacefully on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the age of 84 years, five months, and 23 days. 

 

Jennie was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. She loved to cook, bake, and garden. She enjoyed family vacations and going on bus trips when it was just her and Joe. She was a member of Gleaners Society for many years and enjoyed Coffee Break. 

 

Jennie is lovingly remembered by her six children, Warren Dragstra of Chandler, Minnesota, Harvey (Lori) Dragstra of Edgerton, Dennis Dragstra of St. Louis, Missouri, Marilyn (Brad) Hulstein of Edgerton, Jenean (Gary) Knutson of Brookings, South Dakota, and Harlan (Lesli) Dragstra of Edgerton; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; five sisters, Nelma Byker and Gertrude Kruid both of Hawarden, Iowa, Marian Mae (Gerald) Wallenburg of Inwood, Iowa, Arlene (Cornie) Bakker of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Carol (William) Bouwman of Rock Valley, Iowa; and one brother, Gerald (Lavina) Brands of Inwood, Iowa.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in December of 2014; infant twin children; daughter-in-law, Avis Dragstra; her parents; two sisters, Rena IntVeld, and Dorothy Voortman.