Joel Richard Smidstra

Rock Rapids, IA

     Joel Richard Smidstra age 58 of Worthington, MN passed away Friday, September 4, 2020 at Ava’s House Sanford Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his family.

     A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, September 11, 2020 at the American Reformed Church in Luverne, MN with Rev. Mike Altena officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

     A time of public visitation will take place prior to the service on Friday, from 9:30 AM to time of service at 11:00 AM at American Reformed in Luverne.

   In lieu of flowers family prefer memorials which will be designated at a later time.

     Joel Richard Smidstra was born May 3, 1962 in Rock Rapids, IA to Ben and Lylas (Jurrens) Smidstra. He was raised and received his education in Luverne, MN. As a young man, Joel helped his father on the farm which is where his love of animals first began. At the age of 19, Joel suffered a life altering car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. The challenges that ensued were limiting and difficult, yet he chose to endure and thrive. His family will remember him as a fighter and strong person, both physically and mentally, as he continued to push forward despite many setbacks throughout his life. His sense of humor was fun and contagious and his loud laugh will be missed.

     Joel’s passions included many things such as gardening, fishing, bird watching and fish keeping. He enjoyed scary movies, classic westerns, including his favorite, Gunsmoke, and watching his favorite WWE wrestler, The Undertaker. He was a huge fan of the Chicago Bears and the biggest highlight for him was watching them beat the Vikings. He found the most joy in the company of his parents, brother, nephew, nieces and cats Skippy and Lucky and dog Rocky. In 2017, Joel moved to Worthington, where he not only lived but thrived in having his own place and being independent. Due to his declining health, Joel passed away at Ava’s House Sanford Hospice in Sioux Falls on Friday, September 4^th, 2020, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed.

     Joel is survived by his parents, Ben and Lylas Smidstra of Luverne, MN; brother, Charles Smidstra of Luverne, MN; nieces and nephews, Ben Smidstra of Luverne, Christina (Jose) Grijalva of Luverne, Bethany (partner Brandon Englert) Smidstra of Rock Rapids, IA, Melissa (Fady) Smidstra of Michigan, Erin Smidstra (fiancé Jordan Jerke) of Albertville, MN; 6 great nieces and 6 great nephews; uncle, Joe Jeffer and aunt, Delores Jurrens.

     He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Charles and Reika Smidstra; maternal grandparents, Everett and Juel Jurrens; uncles, Albert (Harriet) Smidstra, Bert (Albertha) Smidstra; aunts, Jennie (Jack) Vande Weerd, Suzie (Hank) Kelderman, Jessie (Harvey) Wiersma, Wilma Jean Jeffer; uncle, Donald Jurrens and other extended family members.