Reverend Arthur (Art) Stienstra

life story

Loving father and shepherd to many

“Our faithful God makes plans that cannot fail. He loves his own and to himself he calls them.”

About Art

Art (Age) was born June 15, 1930 in Sneek, Netherlands to Jan Jolt Stienstra and Douwina (Jongema) Stienstra. Following studies in business and economics at the Wageningen academy in 1949, he joined the Dutch armed forces and NATO as a lieutenant until discharge in 1952

That same year he immigrated to Vancouver, Canada. There on August 13, 1953 he married his Frisian bride Wieke Woudstra (Wilma) who followed him to Canada. They then immigrated to the US, Grand Rapids, MI where Art graduated from Calvin College in 1958 and Calvin Seminary 1961. He then attended Kampen in the Netherlands and was later ordained into the ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

Art took his first charge in Exeter, Ontario Canada followed by service to churches in New Brighton, MN, Hawarden, IA, Ames, IA, Silver Springs MD, and Fort Collins, CO. After his retirement in 1992 he served many churches as interim pastor.

Art also worked as community college instructor and as hospital chaplain in Mankato MN.

Art is preceded by his loving wife of 67 years, Wieke. Art is survived by John (Maggie) Stienstra of Danville, CA, Franciska (David) Shuler of Tucson, AZ, Emil (Catherine) Stienstra of St Paul, MN, Victoria (Rick) Garbers of Lancaster, VA, Ethan (Holly) Stienstra of Denver, CO, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

memorial service

Memorial

December 16, 2023

Knox Presbyterian Church 4747 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419, USA

Broadcast live on YouTube

YouTube.com/live/Ze4il9nQ0hs