John Robert Woelk

January 17, 1951 - September 20, 2026

     John Robert Woelk, age 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Even though he left us suddenly, God knew it was time for him to come home.

     John was born in Newport, WA, to the late Frank Woelk Sr. & Edna (Fast) Woelk. In addition to his parents, he was welcomed home to Jesus’ Kingdom by his sister Esther Adler, brother Frank Woelk Jr., and grandson Ethan Jennings.

     John is survived by his wife Doris (Heine) Woelk, his daughters, Becky Lehman (Phil), Donna Gracia (Cirildo), Cathy Hassenzahl (Tim), Maryann O’Donnell (Neil), 13 grandchildren: Andrew Lehman, Nathan Lehman, Kyle Jennings, Katie Kismarton (Thomas), Mason Jennings, Braden Hassenzahl, Jena Hassenzahl, Asia Hassenzahl, Lincoln Hassenzahl, Cheyenne O’Donnell, Neil O’Donnell III, Emilia O’Donnell, Maximus O’Donnell, and one great-grandchild, Violet Kiliany.

     John is also survived by other family members, including his sisters: Joan Messer (Zane), Hilda Arbeiter, Betty Wendle (Mark), Evelyn Knotts (Lee), Lois Bowen (Phil), and many nieces and nephews.

     John grew up in Newport, WA, where he developed a love for cars and farming. This is also where he attended the young adult Bible Study and first met his beloved wife, Doris. Head over heels in love, they married on August 10, 1973, together building their first house and starting a pig-raising business in Spring Valley, WA. In 1985, they moved to a farm in Addy, WA to try their hand at dairy farming. After twelve years, he sold the cows and bought a pumping business, traveling throughout eastern and central Washington, working with other farmers. When he got tired of travelling and being away from home, he sold the pumping business and equipment, and he went back to raising pigs. He loved being outdoors, working with his hands, taking care of animals, building things, trying new farming adventures, and driving his John Deere tractors.

     John was a great example of a changed life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Not only did he know God’s word, but he allowed it to penetrate his very being and develop characteristics of a true Christ follower. Right or wrong, he held tight to his personal convictions and tried to honor God by the way he lived his life. He was a work in progress like we all are, but he is now free from the bondage of sin and is able to experience true righteousness in the presence of our almighty God.

     John will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was loving, kind, and committed to family. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren, teaching them to work hard and get dirty. John had a servant's heart that was revealed in the way he would help neighbors and family, along with faithfully serving at his church for many years. He was a quiet man but showed his love with acts of kindness. If he knew someone was coming to sled on his hill, he would get the tractor out and spend hours making a sledding hill worthy of any adventure. If you mentioned you wanted to go faster down his sledding hill, he would get out the wax and make sure that you slid all the way to the bottom.

     A couple of his favorite songs were “Amazing Grace” and “To God Be the Glory”.

     There will be a Memorial Service at First Baptist Church in Colville, WA on October 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served after the service.