Errit Veenstra

PRINCETON — Errit Veenstra, 84, of Princeton, formerly of Boswell, Ind., and Marion, Ill., left this earthly life on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. He was born on June 5, 1925, in Smallingerland, Friesland, the Netherlands.

Together, he and his beloved wife and companion of 59 years, Alberta (Bep) Kort, immigrated to Boswell, Ind., in 1951. They are blessed with four children, Paul Errit (Jodie) Veenstra of Plano, Texas, Alberta “Bert” Reed of Mattoon, Margaret Veenstra of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Nancy (Steve) Redmond of Sheffield. His grandchildren include Jessica Veenstra, Nicholas Errit Veenstra, Heather (Reed) and Stephen Turner, Rachael (Reed) and Josh Fowler, Matthew and Amanda Redmond, Patrick Redmond, and Benjamin Redmond.  There are three great-grandchildren, Sarah Grace and Luke Errit Turner, and Brayden Redmond.

With a degree in agriculture from Rijks Hogere Landbouw School in Groningen, the Netherlands, Errit came to North America to work on a dairy farm in Canada in 1948, and he stayed to work as a plant breeder for Moews Seed Co. in Boswell, Ind. Later he became the general production manager for the Boswell, Ind., Perry, Iowa, and Granville, Ill., locations. His business acumen and independent, entrepreneurial spirit would not be bound by industry. Leaving the seed company, he opened a Coast to Coast Hardware Store, in Marion, Ill., and expanded to a second store in West Frankfort. He sold the business and retired in 1987. Errit was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton. While residing in Boswell, Ind., he assisted in starting the Rotary Club.

During their retirement, Errit and Alberta traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and wintered in Harlingen, Texas. They enjoyed square dancing, reading, and playing cards together and with their friends. Well read and knowledgeable of world and political events, Errit loved lively discussion and debate. He expressed his affinity for agriculture and the natural world through meticulous care and attention to the landscape and a respectful regard for animals.

Errit was naturalized as a United States citizen in 1957. He was a proud American and a thoughtful, informed voter. His passion for politics was ever present. He encouraged his family to take responsibility and participate in the political process. He taught them that freedom is fortune.
He will be remembered by his family as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. We will miss his mischievous humor, gentle wit and wisdom, as it lightened our hearts and lifted our spirits.