Elmer Deboer

     Elmer DeBoer, age 88 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, January 10, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Luverne, MN.          Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Bethel Reformed Church rural Little Rock, IA with Reverend Matt Miller officiating.        Burial will follow in the Bethel Reformed Cemetery.        Visitation will be Wednesday, January 13th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home in George. Elmer Jake DeBoer was born March 7, 1927 at his grandparents’ home near Ellsworth, MN to Jacob and Bena (Huisman) DeBoer. He was raised in the Ellsworth area and attended country school. On September 14, 1950 Elmer was united in marriage to Vera (Ohling) DeBoer at the brides’ home. The couple made their home on the family farm for 65 years, where Elmer spent his first 14 years, which is 3 ½ miles south of Ellsworth. He continued farming until 2015 when they moved to Poplar Creek Estates in Luverne, MN. Elmer was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church, Little Rock for his whole life. He served the church as an elder, deacon, and 27 years on the cemetery board. Elmer was a good steward to the land. He was passionate about farming and gardening and checking the crops. He enjoyed traveling. Some of his favorite places were Washington State, Niagara Falls, and Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. He really enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.        Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 65 years, Vera; son, James (Shelley) Lowenberg - DeBoer of West Lafayette, IN; daughter, Brenda (Conrad) Hulstein of Hardwick, MN; and son, Joel (Lorene) DeBoer of Harrisburg, SD; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth (Eleanor) DeBoer of Little Rock, IA; sisters, Alma (Donald) Drenth of Adrian, MN, Pearl (Edward) Korthals of George, IA, Betty (Virgil) Block of Adrian, MN, Joyce (Everon) Kanengieter of Little Rock, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.        He was preceded in death by his parents, and great-grandson, Nathan Reker.