Richard Elvin West Obituary June 7, 1939-December 20, 2024

 

Richard E. West, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 23 at Grandwood Assisted Living Facility surrounded by family and friends in Grove, OK. Richard was born on June 7, 1939 in Russell, IA to Charles and Edna (Jennings) West. He attended Russell High School graduating with the class of 1957. He joined the Iowa National Guard before starting at Armstrong/Titan tires where he worked over forty years before retiring. Richard was united in marriage to Geraldine (Barron) West of Lovilia, Iowa and they welcomed four children into their home. Richard grew up on an Iowa farm where he learned to love hunting, fishing and all the outdoor activities that living in the country brings. He continued to enjoy those activities throughout most of his life. He also enjoyed taking his family to Rathbun Lake to camp, fish and water ski. Richard met and married Pamela Abbott of Ankeny, Iowa on August 8, 1983 who precedes him in death. Richard then moved to Grove, OK to be closer to family where he enjoyed the lake, warmer weather and making new friends. Richard is survived by his four children: Steve (Jo) West of Grove, OK, Robyn (Steve) Howell of Broken Arrow, OK, Sandy (Jack) Kirkpatrick of Afton, OK, Rhonda (Randy) Seward of Houston, TX; 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and three nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger, sister-in-law Mary Jo and niece Sharon. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, January 15, 2025 at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery located at 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. A Celebration of Life gathering to follow. 

Betty Marie Veenstra Obituary November 19, 1938 — January 15, 2025

 Betty Marie (Parks) Veenstra, a woman with an adventurer’s heart, a sharp eye for playing cards and an endless well of love for her children, grandchildren and family, passed away on January 15, 2025, at EveryStep Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. She was 86 years old. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Pella Cemetery in Pella, IA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s name to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and Za-Ga-Zig Shriners. Online condolences may be sent to www.caldwellparrish.com

The middle of three children born to James and Jennie Parks. Betty graduated from Russell (Iowa) High School in 1957. Recalling her childhood, she said: “Russell was just the greatest place to be a kid and grow up. You could do everything and we did.”

Following high school, Betty trained as a hair stylist and co-owned a beauty salon. She met her first husband, Bill Hopkins. They welcomed two children, William Hopkins and Melissa Hopkins-Norris.

Betty began working real estate in 1974 and during a nearly 40-year career, much of it with Iowa Realty, helped bring the joy of home ownership to clients in Iowa, Florida and Colorado. 

In 1985 she met Ron Veenstra, “the love of her life.” They married and nurtured each other until his passing in 1994. She honored his memory every year on their anniversary. 

Even with a busy life, Betty was devoted to her children, serving as a primary caregiver for William, sharing his love of the Green Bay Packers and helping him cultivate a variety of flavorful and hot peppers for homemade sauces. 

Survivors include her sister, Mary Jewett, and brother, Bill (Caroyln) Parks; children, William Hopkins, Melissa Hopkins-Norris, Beth (Steve) Krehbiel, and mike (Marla) Veenstra; grandchildren: Joshua, Corey (Stephanie), Bradi, Joel (Kelly), Ben, Amanda, Matthew, great-grandchildren: Madden, Maverick, Isabella, Christopher, Tyler, Kennedy, and Rylea.

Asked about the Lessons of life, she said: “The most important thing in life is to have the confidence and courage to go and be independent.”