Obituary

Remembering David J. Feenstra

David J. Feenstra, of Allendale, passed away unexpectedly, meeting his Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 10, 2015. His memories on earth have been shared with his wife of 38 years, Margaret (Nagelkirk); his four beautiful daughters, Erin (Brad) Ensing, Janet (Thad) Eno, Lauren (Josh) VanderMolen, and Tara (Cameron) Kuperus; seven precious grandchildren, Alexis and Riley Ensing, Maeli, Axel and Rae VanderMolen, and Sydney and baby Kuperus; his mother, Joyce Feenstra; his four siblings, Roger (Grace) Feenstra, Janice (Herb) Everman, Bernard (Cheryl) Feenstra, and Robert (Lorraine) Feenstra; parents­‐in‐law, Sherwin and Jeanette Nagelkirk; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gladys (Rick) DeBruyne, Morris (Marilyn) Nagelkirk, and Mary (Chad) Sall; and numerous extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, John Feenstra. After he dedicated 18 years to Grand Valley State University to help maintain the campus they have today, he fulfilled his life-long dream of farming. With his brother, he built a successful business from which he never planned to retire. As a man who lived an adventurous life, he will be missed by many for his wisdom, caring heart and thoughtful remarks. His strong faith will be a lasting and cherished memory; in this we find comfort during this difficult time.  His family invites you to celebrate his life through visitation on Sunday, December 13 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (corner of Avery and Scott) 6651 Scott Street, Allendale. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 14 at Second Allendale Christian Reformed Church, 6950 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale, with Rev. Harold Veldman officiating.  Interment will be held at Allendale Township Cemetery. Christian schools have played an important role in Dave’s life. Donations in his memory can be made to Allendale Christian School or Unity Christian High School.

Guestbook

Tribute Messages

Leave Your Tribute

December 17, 2015 1:58pm

May the Lord grant you strength and peace during this difficult time. With our deepest sympathy

— Greg and Charlotte Ykema

December 16, 2015 5:16pm

Prayers from across the globe [Alaska], we think and pray for your family in this extremely difficult time, when you just want to wake up and have it not be so... we shed tears with your family and hope each day as you think of Dave you are strengthened and feel God's presence as He holds you close. Memories and respect for a wonderful man • always kind, hard-working and genuine. He will be missed by many.

— Mike & Patti Buist

December 15, 2015 10:33am

Dave's Family and Friends Thinking of you in your time of lose and sorrow

— Don & Kay V

December 14, 2015 9:00am

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family, friends and employees. May God wrap you all in love and light and peace during this difficult time.

— Cherry Creek Systems

December 14, 2015 4:19am

Lauren, Josh and family We are praying for you and your family. Hold on to the memories. Your dad sounds like he was a wonderful man.

— Todd and Sherry Damon

December 14, 2015 2:28am

I was hired into GVSU by Dave and was always thankful of his kind guidance. My sincere blessing go out to all his family. He will be dearly missed but I know he is now in Heaven with the Lord.

— Diane Wujcik

December 13, 2015 3:15pm

Dear Margaret and Family, Jodi and I are very sorry for your loss. David was a great guy and we were blessed to have known him. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. We will continue to pray and keep you in our thoughts. Ryan & Jodi

— Ryan and Jodi Michaud

December 13, 2015 2:50pm

Thank you for being my friend,I will miss you

— Tony Osting

December 13, 2015 1:34pm

During my time working at GVSU, I was a part of many projects to improve the Kirkhof Center and so was Dave until his retirement. He was someone I could really count on to help get a project accomplished and also someone I got to know as a result of our collaboration. I was shocked and saddened to to learn of his passing. I am praying for the family's strength and comfort during this time. I am honored to have worked with and to have known Dave.

— Frederick Mooney

December 13, 2015 11:42am

I am grateful for the privilege of having known Dave for the 15+ years we worked together at GVSU. It was just a couple months ago we talked about the farm, which he always did with a huge grin on his face. He truly loved what he was doing. His contributions to the University are immeasurable. My heart goes out to Margaret and family during this time of loss. We will all miss Dave but can take comfort in knowing he is in a better place.

— Robert Brown

December 13, 2015 11:18am

Dear Margaret and family, We were extremely saddened to hear of Dave's passing. Our thought and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Dave was a pleasure to be around and always had a firm hug for us coming and going. We enjoyed our visits over the years with you and Dave graciously hosting many of our little reunions. May the Lord comfort you and your family.

— Jim and Mary Vander Ploeg

December 13, 2015 11:08am

So sorry for your loss. He was a great guy to be around and will be missed.

— Jim & Chona Jeurink

December 13, 2015 3:51am

Margaret & family, I am truly saddened by Dave's unexpected accident. You and your family are in our prayers. Dave and I met with a couple other men for prayer and devotionals during lunch many years ago. He was a wonderful man. Steve Leeser

— Steven Leeser

December 13, 2015 2:57am

Dave was my friend for almost 60 yrs. He was one year younger than me. Our familys were also friends as long as I can remember. We went to church together , cadet campouts. I remember slumber partys in Ykemas barn. I remember sunday afternoons bike riding exploring eating grapes and climbing the radio tower. I didnt dare go to the top. When Dave was young he pronounced his v's as f's so it was Day-fud instead of Day-vud and he got the nickname of Fudd. For the last many years we put hundreds of loads of flowers together to bring to Luurtsemas. I am so sure that last Thursday when Dave was taken so suddenly his last breath on earth was just instantly his first in heaven.He was away from his body and face to face with the Lord. But oh man the hole in my heart is so big right now I just can not see how my life can ever be the same. Really that is a good thing because with a great person like Dave you feel that it's better to have known him and now hurt inside than not to have known him at all. I will sure miss you my friend but I will see you again of that I am sure!

— Cal (Kelly)Van Timmeren

December 13, 2015 12:19am

Dear Margaret and family, Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. ---a friend from 2-south

— Ellie Ferguson

December 12, 2015 6:58pm

Prayers for comfort at this difficult time. Rejoicing that Dave believed in our Lord and now knows unimaginable joy.

— Ken and Deanna VanderWal

December 12, 2015 4:49pm

My sympathies to my sister Joyce, and to Margaret and all of my family members in Michigan. David, as all of the Feenstra children, was such a good kid. He will be missed. I enjoyed his visits. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

— Lawrence Ykema

December 12, 2015 2:51pm

We are so sad for your loss! We are praying for you during these painful days. May you be sheltered under God's wings!

— Allen & Karen Karsten

December 12, 2015 2:04pm

Margaret, I worked with you many years ago on 2 South. We were at the dinner at the Spanish church Thursday evening where we heard of Dave's tragic accident. We are so sorry! Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, so very much. Dave and Karen Kass

— Karen Kass

December 12, 2015 1:39pm

I was a year behind David in high school, and although we were never close friends during that time, I remember him as being a friendly and nice person. I am sorry to hear of his untimely death. May God sustain you in your grief.

— Thomas M. Folkert

December 12, 2015 1:18pm

Margaret: We are very saddened by the news of Dave's tragic accident. Although we only knew him for three short weeks, we know that he was a fun, energetic and loving man who dearly loved his family. May you find strength and comfort in your family and friends to help get you through this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. From Melvin, Mavis, Gary, Murray, Deb, Lyle and Roger

— The Saskatchewan Seven

December 12, 2015 1:00pm

The Amidah (Hebrew: תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah, "The Standing Prayer"), also called the Shmoneh Esreh (שמנה עשרה, "The Eighteen," in reference to the original number of constituent blessings; there are now nineteen), is the central prayer of theJewish liturgy. It was around during the 1st century and would have been very familiar to Yeshua/Jesus. The Second Blessing came to be known as "The Mourner's Prayer". It is my prayer for you and for your family. May you be comforted, strengthened and inspired by it. "Thou, O HaShem art mighty forever. Thou callest the dead to immortal life for Thou art mighty in deliverance. Thou sustainest theliving with loving kindness, and in great mercy callest the departed to everlasting life. Thou upholdest the falling, healest the sick, settest free those in bondage and and keepest faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like unto Thee, Almighty King, Who decreest death and life and bringest forth Salvation [Heb. Yeshua]? Faithful art Thou to grant eternal life to the departed. Blessed art Thou, O HaShem, Who callest the dead to life everlasting."

— Michael Smith

December 12, 2015 10:38am

So very, very sorry for your loss, Margaret and family. I had the privilege of meeting Dave just one time when we had the flower planting session at your greenhouse. He guided us through the greenhouse and he sure had a way with words!! My heart goes out to you, along with all the prayers I can muster. May the Lord give you His strength as you go through this very sad time and God bless you always.

— Deb Michalak Wagner

December 12, 2015 6:23am

Aunt Margaret and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all ♡

— Derrick & Rosy DeBruyne

December 12, 2015 6:05am

He'll spend Christmas with Jesus....I am so sorry of his unexpected passing. Only God knows the number of our days~ I'm praying for your family~

— Carol Johnston

December 12, 2015 5:59am

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of a dear husband, father and grandfather. May the Lord fill you with his strength and peace

— Jacob & Joyce Boer

December 12, 2015 5:24am

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Feenstra family, as well as the numerous friends and church family. May God give you peace and strength as only He can.

— Andrew Beelen

December 12, 2015 5:09am

I am so sorry to hear the news about Dave. I always enjoyed working with him and am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Heaven will be even more beautiful with Dave's green thumb. He will be missed.

— Marsha Walsh

December 12, 2015 4:17am

As the "dirt lady" in the greenhouse the past 4 years, I will miss Dave's unique style as a boss. I will miss your loud voice barking out directions and your way of making me feel like I had the most important job at the greenhouse.Maybe there are greenhouses in Heaven to take care of-I hope so. Big time prayers to the family-he will be missed by a lot of people, including me. Rest in peace boss and friend.

— Deb Bosch

December 12, 2015 3:51am

I am so saddened by Dave's sudden death and by the loss you are experiencing. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated husband and father, a kind business person with an incredible smile, and most of all, a man totally devoted to God

— Nancy Nykamp

December 12, 2015 3:33am

I knew Dave for over 12 years at GVSU. He was a great person, hard worker, valued colleague, and a person who openly shared his love for his family and his farm. On occasion we talked of christian schooling as our families have that in common. As I walked through campus yesterday, I found myself seeing Dave in the projects and work he was a part of. His love for his wife, kids, and grandkids is something I will always remember. Praying for your family in this terribly sad time.

— Kate Harmon

December 12, 2015 2:45am

So sorry for your loss. David was loved so by his family and I can only imagine by his friends also. His parents instilled in him faithfulness and devotion both great qualitities. You will be in my prayers.

— karolyn holmes

December 12, 2015 2:43am

Margaret and Family: We are saddened by your sudden loss and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at your time of sorrow.

— Visiting Nurses

December 11, 2015 9:50pm

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to get together last Saturday with everyone for lots of laughs and special memories. He will be missed dearly.

— Mark and Jill Tolman

December 11, 2015 8:03pm

We will miss him dearly but not as dearly as his lovely family. Our thoughts are with you and what would normally be a happy time for your family will be a little different this year. May you hold on to the things that will never change, like the memories, the love and the special bond you share as a family.Love to all of you. May you feel the peace and love of our Lord.

— Ruth and Dennis Vriend

December 11, 2015 7:58pm

Dear Margaret and family, I am so sorry to hear this news. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

— Sara Maka

December 11, 2015 3:42pm

Our prayers and love to all of you who loved Dave at this very difficult time. Fond memories of Dave managing the service department at Allendale Heating Co. Rejoicing that He was a follower of Jesus Christ and just stepped from this earth into his heavenly home.

— Floyd & Jenny Forner

Leave a Tribute

Share a message with the family

Order Flowers

Send Flowers for David

Honor David with a floral arrangement delivered through Love Knots Floral.

Designer’s Choice Grand Vase Arrangement

$100 + $15 Delivery Fee

White Wonder

$110 + $15 Delivery Fee

Thinking of You Basket

$40 + $15 Delivery Fee

Tender Touch

$110 + $15 Delivery Fee

Stargazer Garden

$78 + $15 Delivery Fee

Stargazer Easel Spray

$150 + $15 Delivery Fee

Sincere Sympathy Garden

$55 + $15 Delivery Fee

Seasonal Potted Plant (mum, poinsettia, cyclamen, etc.)

$30 + $15 Delivery Fee

Remembrance Easel Spray

$175 + $15 Delivery Fee

Natures Glory

$55 + $15 Delivery Fee

Loving Embrace

$60 + $15 Delivery Fee

Gerbera Greetings

$50 + $15 Delivery Fee

Colorful Memories Wreath

$315 + $15 Delivery Fee

Classic Sympathy

$65 + $15 Delivery Fee

Blooming Duo

$60 + $15 Delivery Fee

Bells of Beauty

$130 + $15 Delivery Fee

Beautiful Memories

$175 + $15 Delivery Fee

Beautiful Blessings Wreath

$240 + $15 Delivery Fee

Floral arrangements provided by Love Knots Floral.