Reverend Jelle "Joe" Tuininga

“Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of his saints.”

(Psalm 116:15)

In his infinite wisdom, God called Rev. Jelle (Joe) Tuininga home to glory on October 5, 2019, at the age of 85 after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Jelle was born in Neerlandia, Alberta on August 24, 1934, the second of seven children.  He worked on the family farm for 7 years prior to heeding God’s call to pursue the ministry.  During his 40 years in the ministry, he served the congregations of Grande Prairie/La Glace, AB; Smithers, BC and Lethbridge, AB.  After serving the Lethbridge congregation for 29 years, he was grateful for the opportunity to retire there in 2006. 

Recognizing his complete dependence on God to equip him for the work of the ministry, Jelle preached the Word of the Lord faithfully with truth and conviction.  His compassion, humility, sense of humour and love for the congregations he served was evident by those he ministered to.

Besides his wife Henrietta of 56 years, Jelle is survived by his children Ruth (Jim) Vanden Heuvel of Lethbridge: Cody and Kyle; Thelma (Rev. James) Sawtelle of Minneapolis, MN: Joseph (Kayla), Leah (David), Nathan and Stephan; Calvin Tuininga of Lethbridge; and Brenda (Hank) Vroom of Lethbridge:  Rachel, Kimberlee and Levi; his great-grandchildren William Sawtelle and Miriam Danielson; his siblings Henny, Lambert, Jim, Edith and Anke.

Jelle was predeceased by his father Clarence; his mother Trientje; his brother Gordon; and his brother-in-law Bill Sinnema.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Ikuta and the staff at Legacy Lodge for the love and care shown to him over the years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at TRINITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, 1100 – 40 Avenue N. Lethbridge, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mid-America Reformed Seminary (http://www.midamerica.edu/).

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