Martin Vlietstra

Martin Vlietstra, son of Peter and Jacoba (Okken) Vlietstra, was born November 16, 1932, in Paterson, New Jersey, and departed this life on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at his home near Mansfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, two months and two days.

On October 7, 1960, he was united in marriage to Edith Nyman and to this union thirteen children were born.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Debra Lynn Vlietstra, twin daughters, Susan, and Sharon Vlietstra, and two stillborn grandchildren.

Martin is survived by his wife, Edith; 10 children, Martin (Glenda) Vlietstra, David (Cory) Vlietstra, Janice (Jim) Valkenburg, Jonathan (Jane) Vlietstra, Karen (Rick) Van Seters, Roger (Beverly) Vlietstra, Linda (Jay) Velier, Daniel (Dawn) Vlietstra, Paul (Wendy) Vlietstra, and Steven (Stephanie) Vlietstra; forty-eight grandchildren; Twenty-nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Wilma VanderWaal, Alice Vlietstra, and Joan (Walt) Heerschap; brother, Dr. Fred (Sue) Vlietstra; brother Fred Velitstra, sister-in-law, Charlotte Rieder, many nieces and nephews.

Martin was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation where he was an elder in the church for over 50 years. He was a lifelong farmer, carpenter, and had worked in the office at General Lab Supply.

In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, working on the farm, and raising goats.