Alma J. Westra

Alma J. Westra

Sheldon, Iowa

 Services for Alma J. Westra, age 90, of Sheldon who passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 30, 2024, at First Reformed Church in Sheldon with Pastor Paul Van Maaren, officiating.

Alma's service will be livestreamed at:  Livestream - First Reformed Church (sheldonfirstreformed.com) 

 Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

 Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

ALMA J. WESTRA

BORN

January 11, 1934

Sanborn, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

August 25, 2024

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M. Friday, August 30, 2024

First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Paul Van Maaren ~ Officiating

MUSIC

“Where The Roses Never Fade”

Sung by: Ken Van Kekerix

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“He The Pearly Gates Will Open”

“What A Day That Will Be”

“It Is Well With My Soul”

Organist: Ingetta Tutje

CASKET BEARERS

Justin Griffith 

Joseph Stonesifer

Amelia Yingst 

Jacob Stonesifer

Roger Ver Hoef 

Clyde Dammann

FINAL RESTING PLACE

East Lawn Cemetery

Sheldon, Iowa

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the 

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa

Alma Joan Westra, the daughter of Clarence and Johanna (Solsma) Adema was born January 11, 1934, in Sanborn, Iowa. She attended Gilman School #9 near Ritter, Iowa and graduated the 8th grade. She was united in marriage to Jacob Westra on November 12, 1958. The young couple made their home on a farm near Wilmont, MN. In 1968, they had a farm sale and moved to California. Alma was hardworking and took pride in her part-time self-employed work over the years by providing babysitting, sewing, ironing, and house cleaning. She went to work at Bullock's Department Store in 1971 for 5 years and then worked at Northrup Aerospace as an assembler until retiring in 1999. The couple then moved back to Sheldon. Jake preceded her in death on August 7, 2015. Alma moved to Fieldcrest Assisted in 2020. She passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, reaching the age of 90 years, 7 months, and 14 days.

 Alma was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hats. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and mending, crochet and cross stitch, baking, playing cards and games, camping and fishing. The couple enjoyed many years camping with their friends in The Good Sam Camping Club while living in California. 

 Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters and spouses: Lauralea (Dale) Griffith of Rathdrum, ID; Valerie (Tom) Stonesifer of LeMars, IA; Pamela (Mike) Jensen of Hinton, IA; six grandchildren: Justin Griffith, Patrick Griffith, Joseph (Crystal) Stonesifer, Amelia (Evan) Yingst, Jacob (Tara) Stonesifer, and Jordan Jensen; seven great-grandchildren; also, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 Alma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jake, grandson, Lee Alan Griffith, sisters, Marilyn (Gerald) Ver Hoef, and Pearl (Jim) Haack.