John E. Westra was born April 9, 1926 at Rock Rapids, Iowa to parents, John and Wilhelmina (VanDyke) Westra. He was raised in northwest Iowa and moved with his family to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he attended school. John graduated from Harrisburg High School and farmed with his father in the Ellis area west of Sioux Falls.

He married Joye Greenfield in 1950. In 1953 they moved to their farm northeast of Centerville where they raised their four children. In addition to farming, John bought and sold livestock for many years. He enjoyed going to sale barns and stockyards where he could visit with friends and other farmers.

John was a farmer through and through, it was his work, his hobby and how he spent his retirement years. He was also active at Delaware Reformed Church where he served in many roles over the years. He died November 19, 2017 at Centerville Care & Rehab Center at the age of 91 years, seven months and 10 days.

Grateful for sharing his life are his four children and their families: son, John (Marlys) of Seattle, WA with their two children, Levi (Jen) and Leah (Leo) Heyenrath and their daughter, Greta; son, Jeri (Jolene) of Centerville, SD and their four children, John (Jen) along with Kiylee and Jaxon, James (Kate) along with Allie and Bellamy, Jerica (Jimmy) Sieperda along with Anna, Jerit, Sara and Arie, and JenaLee (Jeremy) Dykstra and their son, Simon; son, Joel (Vickie) of Centerville, SD and their three children, Joel (Lisa) along with Jake and Luke, and Ben (Nicole) along with Ruby and Abel, and T.J. (Olivia) Yerdon along with Lily and Leah; and daughter, Jani (Randy) Gibbons of Worthing, SD and their three children, Joy (Brian) Korman along with William and Greta, Ron (Rachel Thomas) and their son, Weston, and Rachel (Jeremy) Aeikens. John was preceded in death by his wife, Joye; granddaughter, Elizabeth Yerdon and great-grandson, John Tiyler.