Michael James Boonstra

Michael J. Boonstra, age 71, of Annandale, passed away Wednesday evening, September 10, at the U of M Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, September 19, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be held privately at Grace Cemetery (Southside) near Annandale. www.petersonbrothers.com

Michael James Boonstra was born on April 7, 1954, in Willmar, Minnesota to Jacob and Lorraine Boonstra. Michael was baptized in the Raymond Christian Reformed Church. In 1959, the family moved to Willmar. Michael graduated from Willmar Senior High School in 1972. Michael gave his personal testimony and profession of faith, believing in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Willmar Christian Reformed Church.

Michael earned an Associate degree in Accounting from Willmar Vocational Technical College in 1974. After graduation he enlisted in the US Army and served in Frankfurt, Germany for three years. He was honorably discharged in 1977.

Mike returned to the Twin Cities area where he was employed at Carlson Company in Minnetonka from 1979 to 2006. Michael was then employed by Northland Canning in Cokato, Minnesota for nine years and retired in 2017.

Michael was married on November 10, 1994, to Melissa Trout in Buffalo, Minnesota and became a stepfather to Melissa’s daughter, Megan.

He bought a farm near Annandale where he cared for animals including his first racehorse, “Yet the Best”, racing him at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, Minnesota and in Chicago.

Michael loved fishing and hunting with his brothers, writing (he authored five books), gardening, caring for animals, attending flea markets, and watching Vikings football.

Michael is survived by his wife, Melissa of Pine River, his stepdaughter Megan Laine Jung (Dominic) of Reno, NV, four brothers, Leon (Jodie) Boonstra of Omaha, NE, Brian (Colleen) Boonstra of Willmar, Gregg Boonstra of Grove City and David Boonstra of Litchfield, and five sisters, Karen Boonstra of Spicer, Susan Boonstra and Nancy Boonstra of Willmar, Julie Schaffer of Shoreview and Mary (Troy) Thompson of Maple Grove, four nephews, six nieces, two step grandchildren and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Jacob and Lorraine, brother Gary, grandparents John and Anna Ryks, grandparents, Bram and Minnie Boonstra, and grandmother, Grace Boonstra.

Blessed be the memory of Michael Boonstra.