JOHN BOONSTRA A

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JOHN BOONSTRA A Celebration of Life for John Boonstra of Flippin, Arkansas, will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Beauhead Senior Centre, 645 Park Avenue, Beausejour, MB. At John's request, please dress casually. John passed away peacefully on October 15, 2017, at the age of 81. He was born January 5, 1936, in the town of Noordwijk, Province of Groningen, the Netherlands, to Hendrik and Antje Boonstra. John immigrated with his family to Canada on March 22, 1952. John and his wife Bertha (van Nieuw Amerongen) and children moved to Downers Grove, IL in 1958. After John and Bertha divorced he moved to Arkansas in 1979 and married Patti Pantell in 1989. John was the ultimate entrepreneur, working in construction and mobile homes. He was the owner/operator of Boonstra Mobile Homes at Flippin, Arkansas, having lived previously at Cotter and Bull Shoals, AR. He was an avid fisherman and plied his luck on the White River regularly, especially for trout. He also loved his family, music and gambling. John is survived by his children Diane (Craig) Brod of Wendell, NC, Henry (Eva) Boonstra of Flippin, AR and MaryAnn (Dave) Rempert of Crest Hill, IL; sister Elly (Garry) Sienema of Whitemouth, MB; brothers Bill (Ann) of Whitemouth, MB, Gerrit (Gerry) (Eileen) of Beausejour, MB; grandchildren Shauna (Mike, Jennifer [Eric]), Henry Jr. (Kelly), Jessica (Joey) and Jaclyn (Will); great-grandchildren Abrielle, Marisa, Michaela, Jon and Hailey; also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Patti, sisters Marchien (Hendrik) de Jonge, Jane (Jake) Froese, Patricia (Daan) van Reede, Trudy (Bill) Bridges and Anneke (Arthur) Orme; and brother Tim (Laura). Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice or St. Judes Children's Hospital. Cremation has taken place in accordance with John's wishes.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2017