Gertie Bouwman

Rock Rapids, IA Gertie Bouwman, age 96 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Reverend Dan Haggar officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon at the Hillside Cemetery in Lester, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 22nd from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Edward Bouwman American Legion Auxillary Post #683, Lester, IA. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of arrangements. Gertie Bouwman was born on July 14, 1919 north of Rock Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Aalt and Jennie (Klein) Van Dyke. The family moved to a farm north of Lester when she was young. She attended country school through the eighth grade near Lester at Allison #3 School. Later, the family moved to a farm north of Rock Rapids. On July 29, 1941, she married Alvin Reemts at Pender, NE. To this union was born Ronald Allen. Alvin entered the U.S. Navy in 1942. He died aboard the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. On July 14, 1952, Gertie married Thomas M. Bouwman at Lester, IA. They farmed near Kanaranzi, MN until moving to the family farm east of Lester in 1955 where they lived until they retired and moved to Rock Rapids, IA in 1981. Gertie faithfully attended First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, IA up to the time of her death. She was always willing to help the Dorcas Circle of the First Reformed Church until just a few years ago. She enjoyed Bible studies with the other women of the church. She was a 34 year member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Edward Bouwman American Legion Post #683 of Lester. Gertie enjoyed fishing, gardening, and serving others - especially her family. There was always room for one more at the table and no one left hungry. Gertie and Tom traveled to many states, often visiting relatives and even traveled to the Netherlands in 1984 to visit distant relatives. Gertie would always say though "I'm glad I'm home". Gertie is survived by her children, two sons, Ronald (Jacqueline) Reemts of Lander, WY, and Thomas, Jr. (Sheryl) Bouwman of Rock Rapids, IA and three daughters, Brenda Vis and fiancée, Randy Rosenboom of Rock Rapids, IA, Beverly (Ronald) Rosenboom of Sturgis, SD and Beth Bouwman of Brandon, SD; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeanetta Kix of Sibley, IA; sisters-in-law, Iona Van Dyke and Greta Hommes, both of Rock Rapids, IA, Eileen Bouwman of Luverne, MN, Marie Heyman of Alton, IA, Wilma Bouwman of Lester, IA and Eleanor Bouwman of Akron, IA; and brother-in-law, Ray Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD; along with several nieces, nephews and other extended family. Gertie was preceded in death by her first husband, Alvin; her husband, Tom; her parents, Aalt and Jennie Van Dyke; three brothers, Gerrit, Herman, John William; and an infant sister, Jeanette. Her family feels blessed to have shared her life and to carry on her legacy of love and commitment to family.