Carol Jean Lagestee

Carol Jean (Belstra) Lagestee, age 67, of DeMotte, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born on September 12, 1958, to Albert and Annette (DeBoer) Belstra of DeMotte. She graduated from Kankakee Valley High School with the Class of 1976. On December 2, 1977, she married the love of her life, Jerry Lagestee, after only nine months of dating. They spent 47 beautiful years together, growing in their faith and building a wonderful family. Jerry and Carol were not only life partners, but also business partners. Carol was the co-owner and bookkeeper of Belstra Trucking and DeMotte Decorative Stone until they were passed on. She was a lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church of DeMotte and displayed God’s love by caring for others. Carol served wholeheartedly in many areas of the church. Some included being a GEMS counselor, a member of the worship team, and cooking for the community dinners. She had a great love for sewing and quilting, which she used to serve others by being a member of the Heritage Quilt Guild of Crown Point and Sewing Seeds Quilt Ministry—creating quilts to extend God’s love to those in crisis. Through all these opportunities and more, Carol passionately shared her faith with others. Carol also found great joy in being a homemaker and spending time camping, fishing, gardening, and especially being with her family and grandchildren. Her kindness will live on as she was able to bless others through organ donation. She is survived by her beloved husband, Jerry Lagestee; her children: Dan (Michelle) Lagestee, Bryan (Rachelle) Lagestee, and Shelley (Kevin) Zuchowski; and four grandchildren. Also surviving are her mother, Annette Belstra; her brother, Larry (Mary) Belstra; her sister, Linda (Ken) VanTholen; and she was a motherly figure to many nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her father, Albert Belstra, and her grandson, Jacob Lagestee. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carol’s life by visiting Jackson Funeral Service on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 3:00 until 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 at First Christian Reformed Church beginning at 10:00 AM with Pastor Jim Alblas officiating. Interment will follow at Holland Cemetery. Carol’s legacy of faith and her selfless passion for serving others will live on in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s memory to: Sewing Seeds Quilt Ministry and DeMotte Christian Schools.

Carol Jean Lagestee

September 12, 1958 - October 8, 2025