Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared

Willis Zeinstra

July 13, 2014
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/015/100747/100747-00.jpg



Visitation

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT
Centerpoint Church
2345 N. 10th Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-4815
Web Site

Service

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
2:30 PM EDT
Centerpoint Church
2345 N. 10th Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-4815
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

ALS of Michigan
24359 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 100
Southfield, MI 48075
(800) 882-5764
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


Print

Unfailingly positive, full of fun, always smiling, unconditional love, generous and true, cherished friend are words used to describe Willis Zeinstra, a man of deep faith, abiding love for his family, and commitment to serving the community and the church that he held dear. A firm and loving father, he raised two families and raised them well, without complaint, a man who was always there for his family.

Willis “Willie”, was born to Martin and Lucy (Evink) Zeinstra on March 6, 1930 in Holland, Minnesota. Martin was a farmer and Lucy worked on the farm with her husband, while raising the family of six children: Marion, Furne, Willis, Arlene, Marlin "Dutch", and Bonnie. In 1937 the family moved to Martin, Michigan for the opportunity that could be found in the small West Michigan farming community. The Zeinstra kids soon found that this quiet community provided many opportunities for fun, mischief, and adventure. Willis and his two closest buddies, Jay Bos and Les Nyland, were known for the good fun they always managed to find. Stories of outhouse tipping, rescuing brothers and sisters who were being chased by cows, and in later years rolling a car in such a way that his niece, Pauline, could keep her cookie intact (albeit a little muddy) are fond memories that reflect the “good naughty guy” that Willis was. Willis’s devotion to family was evident at an early age, as a particular highlight for his sister Arlene were the times when she went on the milk route with her brother.

Willis attended the Martin Schools, graduating from the 12th grade, and went to work at various jobs, which included that as a draftsman. He married his sweetheart, Flora, who was known by all as “Dort”. During this time, he served as a Medic in the Korean War. Together, Willis and Dort welcomed their son Rodney and in the years that followed, the family shared many happy times and endured the hard times as Dort battled ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Willis and Rod battled right along with her and cared for her until she passed away in 1975. Willis never let those hard times overshadow Rod’s childhood and he helped him enjoy just being a boy. He taught his son to play baseball, taught him to drive a stick-shift car well before driver’s training, volunteered with the Martin Little League, and instilled in Rod the value of responsibility and the pride in a job well done. It was during this time that Willis bought the appliance store in Martin, which so many in the area knew was THE place to go for quality appliances, great service, sound advice, and a good visit.

In 1976, Willis married Brenda (Steen) and became a stepfather to her two sons. From the beginning, Willis treated Randy and Terry as if they were his own and, while they both said they had “real dads”, Willis was always “Dad” and he couldn’t have been prouder to share that title as he played catch with the boys in the backyard, taught them the intricacies of mowing the lawn, and was happy to be involved in any activity they were interested in. The store was just down the road from home and the boys loved to go on deliveries or parts runs. Willis's right arm was “The Seatbelt” before kids had seatbelts! Every summer, the third week in July was spent “up north” at Big Star Lake in Baldwin, MI where Willis enjoyed time with his family and friends and was Grillmaster, Boat Driver, Waterski Teacher, Big Kid Extraordinaire.

Throughout the years, Willis was very involved with the community and he passed that value along to his children. He was a volunteer firefighter, and the Assistant Fire Chief for 30 years with the Martin Fire Department. He served on the Martin Village Board and was the board’s President for a number of years. In honor of Dort, Willis participated in Fund Drives for Muscular Dystrophy. Willis was very involved in the East Martin Christian Reformed Church as a member, serving on the Building and Grounds committee and the church Consistory, singing in the choir, and running the sound system. All three boys attended the East Martin Christian School and Willis served on the School Board for a number of years.

Willis was happy to welcome into his family, his daughters-in-law Susan, Christine, and Jennifer and the day soon came when grandchildren started to arrive and they put a big smile on “Grandpa Z’s” face. Willis was a very good grandpa who did all he could with them, when he could and all of the grandkids absolutely loved their Grandpa Z. He was so proud to be a great-grandparent and even though his health had declined, he so enjoyed their visits and the stories of their milestones and achievements. Willis Zeinstra, the teddy bear of a man with the brightest smile and the biggest hug will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched.

Age 84, Willis Zeinstra died July 13, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Willie was born March 6, 1930 in Holland, MN, the son of Martin and Lucy (Evink) Zeinstra. Services will be held Wednesday 2:30 PM at the Centerpoint Church (2345 N. 10th Street) with visitation beginning at 12:30 PM. Burial at East Martin Cemetery. Willie was preceded in death by his first wife, Flora “Dort” Zeinstra and by a sister, Marion Brenner. Members of his family include his wife of 38 years, Brenda Zeinstra; son, Rodney (Susan) Zeinstra; 2 step-sons: Randy (Christine) Gose and Terry (Jennifer) Chandler; 8 grandchildren: Jason (Dana), Megan (Brian), Lacie (Dan), Ashley (Justin), Justin, Dylan, Delaney and Kensie; 9 great-grandchildren: Aidan, Noah, Emma, Grant, Paige, Xavier, Katie, Lilliana and Brycen, his brothers Furne, Marlin "Dutch" (Kay), sisters Arlene (Harm), and Bonnie (Bill) and many nieces and nephews. Please visit Willie’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to ALS. Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler 6080 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo- 375-2900