1931
John "Jack"
2018
John "Jack" Bontje
February 20, 1931 — October 8, 2018
Sioux Falls, SD
John “Jack” Bontje, age 87 of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Larchwood, IA, passed away Monday, October 8, 2018, at Southridge Long-term Care, in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 12th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA. Burial with full military honors, will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.
John “Jack” Bontje was born on February 20, 1931, to Edward and Johanna (Bakker) Bontje on a farm near Larchwood, Iowa. He moved with his parents to a farm between Rock Rapids and Lester, Iowa. Jack received his education at St. Mary’s School in Larchwood, Iowa.
John “Jack” Bontje, age 87 of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Larchwood, IA, passed away Monday, October 8, 2018, at Southridge Long-term Care, in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 12th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA. Burial with full military honors, will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.
John “Jack” Bontje was born on February 20, 1931, to Edward and Johanna (Bakker) Bontje on a farm near Larchwood, Iowa. He moved with his parents to a farm between Rock Rapids and Lester, Iowa. Jack received his education at St. Mary’s School in Larchwood, Iowa.
He entered the United States Army in October 1949 and served overseas in the Korean War. He was in Japan when war broke out in Korea in 1950. As a member of Company A 24th Infantry, his unit was sent to Korea July 4, 1950. He was wounded on January 1, 1951, was captured and became a prisoner of war. After his release later that year, he was honorably discharged and returned to the States. For his service, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Ex-Prisoner of War Badge. He still has the letters that his mother wrote to him while he was at war.
On September 14, 1957, he was united in marriage to Shirley (Galles) in Remsen, Iowa. The couple made their home in Larchwood, Iowa, until moving to Sioux Falls in 2007. Jack worked at Grotewold Motor Company in Larchwood between 1956 and 1971. He worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier between 1968 until retiring in 1991, working in Larchwood and Canton, SD areas. Jack and his wife, Shirley, enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona. Jack also enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing and watching Nascar Racing. Jack loved spending time with his family. Jack was a member of the American Legion in Larchwood a lifetime member of the VFW in Canton, and the DAV and Ex-POW, Sioux Falls.
Jack is survived by his wife, Shirley, children Jay (Stephanie), Tea, SD, Kristy (Larry) Haviland, Geneseo, IL, and daughter-in-law, Deb Bontje, Beresford, SD; 7 grandchildren, Nikki (Cody) Hendrix, Sioux Falls, SD, Jason (Laura) Bontje, Overland Park, KS; CJ Bontje, Beresford, SD, Christopher (Sadie) Bontje, Pueblo, CO; Kelli (Jaime) Haviland, Houston, TX; Lyndsy Haviland, Atlanta, GA; and Adam (Rachel) Haviland, Borger, TX. 7 great grandchildren: Colton, Marlee, Harrison, Anthany, Clairyssa, Taylor and Isabelle. Sisters, Betty Gacke, Larchwood, Mary Ann (Kermit) Bjerke, Bemidji, MN, and Shirley Vrooman, Sioux Falls, SD and one brother, Donald Bontje, Janesville, WI, sister-in-law, Ellen, Rock Rapids; and many other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lou, sister, Jan, brothers-in-law, Bob, Gary, and Vern, and sister-in-law, Jean.
To order memorial trees in memory of John "Jack" Bontje, please visit our tree store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, October 11, 2018
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
The Church of St. Mary
Prayer Service
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)
The Church of St. Mary
Funeral Service
Friday, October 12, 2018
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
The Church of St. Mary
Guestbook
Visits: 6
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