Obituary of Betty Damstra

Memorial Tribute Betty Ellen (Rensink) Damstra, the daughter of John and Aleida (Landhuis) Rensink, was born in Hull, IA on September 23, 1943. Betty’s mother was 38 and her father was 72 when she was born. She had several half-brothers and one half-sister who were grown when she was born. Betty spent her childhood years in Boyden, IA and graduated from Boyden High School. When Betty was just eleven years old, her father passed away and her mother became ill. She was then raised by her half-brother and sister-in-law, Len and Iva Rensink. Betty spent many hours with her nieces and nephews on the Rensink Farm. She enjoyed dancing the jitterbug and roller skating when she was young. She was united in marriage to Julius Damstra on August 11, 1961 at Len and Iva’s home in Boyden. The couple farmed three miles west of Primghar, Iowa. They were blessed with one daughter, Debra. Early in their marriage, when Betty was just 20 years old, their life-long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis began. As a young farmwife and mother, Betty enjoyed cooking, sewing, managing the house and driving the tractor during hay baling. She loved to swim. She also enjoyed reading, crocheting, and playing cards. Betty and Julius had a camper and did a lot of traveling. Every summer, she looked forward to sweet corn season. She enjoyed living on the farm. Many people remember her as one who often sent cards and called them on their birthday. Betty was a good listener with a special sense of humor. She never complained and looked for the good in everyone and everything. Her grandchildren were very special to her. Having fought the good fight, Betty passed away at Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital in Primghar, Iowa on October 17, 2008 at the age of 65. Survivors include her husband Julius of Primghar; her daughter Debra and her husband Steve Prins of Hartley, Iowa; three grandchildren: Bridget Leach and her husband Jason of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Jodi Boyd of Boyden, and David Boyd of Hartley; one great-granddaughter Karalynn Leach; as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; five half-brothers: Henry, Harry, Benjamine, Leonard, and John, Jr. Rensink; one half-sister Henrietta Teeselink. A life remembered… Betty Ellen Damstra Born ~ September 23, 1943 Died ~ October 17, 2008 Age ~ 65 years 24 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2008 American Reformed Church ~ Primghar, IA Officiating ~ Rev. Dennis Hietbrink Organist ~ Linda Walvoord Soloist ~ Bridget Leach “Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone” Congregational Singing “In the Garden” Special Music “I Can Only Imagine” “How You Live” Pallbearers David Boyd Jason Leach David Damstra Don Dykstra Jim Koerselman Paul Vos Honorary Pallbearers Jodi Boyd Bridget Leach Cathy Lyman Elaine Killian Linda Heiliger Elaine Green Ushers Dave Steffens Doug Walvoord Flower Attendants Bonnie Admire Darlene Prins Interment Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, Iowa