Formal Obituary

Hans Martin Weerstra, age 75, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Hans died at home from lung and brain cancer.  His family worked during WWII for the allied forces in the Netherlands which was under Nazi occupied hands. His family was also part of the underground movement that provided asylum for Jewish families, hiding them in their walls and basements. Toward the end of the war, neighbors turned the Weerstra family into the Nazi officials and Mr. Weerstra and the head of the Jewish family were arrested and taken to prison. They were later released by a miraculous work of God. A Jewish child born while under their care is now a doctor in Israel. For their work with the Jewish underground, they were given a tree planted in the “Garden of the Righteous Gentiles’ in Israel. The Weerstra family was given a special citation by President Eisenhower at the end of the war which allowed them to emigrate to the United States. Hans arrived in the states at 13 years old with his eight brothers and sisters. He lived in Holland Michigan.

In 1964 Hans was ordained by the Christian Reformed Church and served as a missionary in Southern Mexico from 1964-1983. He worked in Yucatan and Oaxaca with the Mayan, Zapotecs, Mixtechs, and other indigenous peoples of Mexico planting churches and bible distribution. Currently there are over 40 churches planted in that area as a result of his efforts.  He graduated from Calvin College with an M.Div  in 1964 and in 1972 received his doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.  He speaks four languages and has written several books as well as serving as the editor for many years (1991-1994) of the International Journal of Frontier Missions. 

Hans worked with Youth With A Mission from 1984-1991, where he directed the Spanish Language School in El Paso Texas. His last position was as a mission pastor and church consultant with the Southwest Center for World Missions who did ministry under the name of the Oxford Street Abbey. 

He leaves behind his wife, Judy L. Weerstra, daughters, Patty Rybak of Dallas Texas, Julianne De Leon of El Paso Texas, and Jennifer Neely of Killeen, Texas. His sons, Doug Weerstra of Denver Colorado, Rick Weerstra of Schenectady, New York and Ryan Ludlow of Austin, Texas and 18 grandchildren. His brothers: Richard Weerstra, John Weerstra, Ted Weerstra of Holland Michigan, and Cecil Weerstra of Hilton Head, South Carolina. His sister: Jean Hengst of Holland Michigan. He is preceded in death by his father, Martin Weerstra, mother, Teresa Weerstra, sister Anne Gipping, brother Sam Weerstra all of Holland, Michigan. 

Funeral will be held at the Memorial Pines Cemetery, 61 Memorial Pines Lane, Sunland Park, MN 88063.  Funeral arrangements by  Crestview Funeral Home.  If you would like to send flowers, please send tulips to Memorial Pines. Please send donations you would like to give to his former mission, Youth With A Mission, 4406 Edgar Park, El Paso Texas 79904.