John Peter Wierenga

04/02/1941 - 12/05/2025

John "Dutch" P. Wierenga, 84, passed away on December 5, 2025. He was born on April 2, 1941, in Muskegon, Michigan, and spent his early school years in Denver, Colorado, where he developed the grit and work ethic that would shape the rest of his life.

Dutch proudly served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963 as a Combat Engineer specializing in mine warfare while stationed in Germany and Retired as an SP5. A no-nonsense man through and through, he carried that same straightforward toughness into his career with the White River National Forest. For more than 31 years, based in Glenwood Springs, he worked as a blaster and was responsible for back-country operations, road maintenance, blasting safety training, and installing and maintaining facilities throughout the White River area. He was known for doing things the right way the first time, with a cowboy's grit and an engineer's precision.

In 1996, he married the love of his life, Margaret, and together they built their home and family in Glenwood Springs. After retiring from the Forest Service, Dutch and Margaret moved to Parachute, Colorado, in 1997, where he enjoyed a quieter pace of life though he never fully let go of his cowboy spirit.

Dutch's final wish was to be set free on Windy Point, a place he loved deeply. His family will honor that wish this coming spring.

Dutch lived his life simply, honestly, and exactly the way he wanted. He will be missed by all who knew him.