Chad Elliott Westra

Rock Valley, IA: Chad Westra, 51, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Friday, March 6, 2020, at his home in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 10, at 10:30 AM at Faith Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Mike Molenaar officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Monday, March 9, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Faith Reformed Church. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family. 

   Chad Westra was born on August 16, 1968 in Rock Valley to James and Laura (Sandbulte) Westra. He attended Rock Valley Community Schools where he excelled in all sports and was a participant in state track and basketball competitions. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in 1991. Chad then began work in the meat packing industry working in Nebraska, Kansas, and eventually Iowa and Minnesota as a federal meat inspector. 

   He married in 1998 and was the proud father of two, Caleb and Cadence. Chad enjoyed fishing, fixing things, and time outside. He endeavored to be kind and prayed regularly for his kids. Chad battled physical pain and bouts of mental illness that limited his activity, but found joy in travel. He was a member of Faith Reformed Church.

   Chad is survived by his two children, Caleb and Cadence Westra of Rock Valley; parents, James and Laura Westra of Rock Valley; and three siblings, Terry (Kim) Westra of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Dr. Chris (Dr. Lisa Kokontis) Westra of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Gayle (Dave) Van Tol of Boulder, Colorado. 

   Preceding Chad in death were his paternal grandparents, John and Henrietta Westra; and maternal grandparents, William and Rebecca Sandbulte.