Janet Kwantes Feenstra, of Manistee, MI, left her earthly life for eternal life with her Creator and Savior on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on July 30, 1920, daughter of the late Frank & Jeanette Kwantes. She attended Grand Rapids Christian Schools from Kindergarten through High School and graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She taught in schools in both Grand Rapids and East Lansing, MI.
On December 19, 1944, she was united in marriage to the late Ernest Star Feenstra. In 1948 they moved from E. Lansing, to Kalamazoo, MI, where they raised their 3 daughters who survive her: Barbara McCune (Jim-deceased) of Harrogate, TN, Ginny Star Postma (Jim) Grand Rapids, MI and Joyce Tyler (Rick) of Schoolcraft, MI; 4 grandchildren, Jamie McCune (Bethany), Middlesboro, KY, Jenny McCune, Harrogate, TN, Wendi Star and Melanie Joy Postma of Grand Rapids, MI; 4 great-grandchildren and her dear friend, Virginia Harroun.
She was a charter member of the Westwood CRC and served the church for many years in children's education and as a Stephen Minister along with designing and making wall hangings for the church. In their retirement years, Janet and Ernie moved to their home on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan near Manistee. In Manistee she became a member of the United Methodist Church, taking part in small group Bible studies, the United Methodist Women, the Carlotta Circle and creating crafts for the annual bazaar.
She was a charter member of the Victorian Quilters Guild, the Audubon Society of Manistee, Lakeside Club and a volunteer at the Lake Bluff Audubon Center. She was a life member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan and became a children's reading tutor under Project Read of Manistee.
The final resting site will be alongside her husband Ernest in the Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI. A memorial service will be held at Manistee United Methodist Church in Manistee, MI in July. In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts be made in Janet's honor to the United Methodist Church Endowment Fund 387 1st St. Manistee, MI 49660 or World Renew of 2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560.
The Feenstra family would like to thank Spectrum Hospice for the wonderful and supportive staff they provided for our mother's care. Also, a big thank you goes to the staff at Whispering Woods Building #4 for the comforting care they gave to mom in her last days. The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements. Hfh.com