1917
Raymond
2006
Raymond Bouma
June 16, 1917 — January 2, 2006
Raymond E. Bouma, was born on June 16, 1917 in Leota, Minnesota; he was the son of Henry and Clara (Ver Steeg) Bouma. As a young child he moved with his family to Hancock, Minnesota, where he attended School District #17 through the 8th grade and worked on the family farms. During those early years in Hancock, he also worked for his uncle, Ray Ver Steeg, making memories and building lasting relationships while working side by side.
His devotion to his country and the cause of freedom was no more evident then when he willingly served with the United States Army as an artillery crewman in World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and looked forward to army reunions and the veteran's day pancake breakfasts - sharing stories and the camaraderie that was developed through a difficult time. Ray was also a member of the Hancock Community Choirs for many years, promoting patriotism through 4th of July programs.
On April 16, 1950, Ray publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ at the Christian Reformed Church in Hancock. He continued to be a member there throughout his lifetime, having also been a member of their Men's Society, Couple's Club, Consistory and Bible Study. Ray's church family was truly an extension of his own family and held a special place in his heart.
It was at the Christian Reformed Church in Hancock where he was also united in marriage to Julia Van Otterloo on June 22, 1950. As a couple they began farming near Glenwood in 1951, then near Cyrus in 1953, before moving to Hancock in 1961, where they farmed until 1977. Ray's passion for farming continued when he worked for area farmers: Henry Nelson, Lowell Nelson, Delray Nelson and Sons, Edgar Ver Steeg and Don Boon. He spent a couple of winters working at Lorenz Manufacturing in Benson. He also enjoyed driving for Riverside Express, checking out new places to have coffee and taking new routes for new sights along the way. He mowed lawns until the time when his health prevented it this past summer.
Ray loved his Lord, his family, friends, farming, feeding the birds, growing flowers and collecting model tractors. His family was also blessed with his homemade popcorn, soup, cookies and refrigerator pickles. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. However, he provided and left a wonderful example of living. Philippians 2:3-4 was evident in his daily life, "doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considering others better than himself; looking not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." He lived to serve others and to give all the glory to Jesus.
Ray entered the Courage Cottage in Morris on October 25, 2005, where he was lovingly cared for until the time of his passing from this life into eternity on Monday, January 2, 2006, having lived to reach the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his wife: Julia Bouma of Hancock; three daughters: Judy (Irwin) De Jong of Orange City, IA, Lois (Gary) Strei of Hancock and Bonnie (Dave) Stabnow of Nashville, TN; one son: David (Brenda) Bouma of Hampton, MN; 11 grandchildren: Shelly De Jong, Tom (Amber) De Jong, Sherry (Trent) Johnson, Daniel De Jong, Nathaniel De Jong, Jessica (Chris) Kerrigan, Melissa Strei, Derek Strei, Ryan Bouma, Justin Bouma and Tristan Bouma; 1 great-grandchild: Madison Kerrigan; two sisters: Bernice Vanderpoel of Detroit Lakes and Dorothy Burns of Hancock and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Frances Ras.
Pallbearers for the service are Ray's grandsons: Thomas De Jong, Daniel De Jong, Nathaniel De Jong, Ryan Bouma, Justin Bouma and Derek Strei. Carol Evink will serve as organist for the service with Mary Evink serving as pianist. Vocalists will be Edgar Ver Steeg, Irwin De Jong, Thomas De Jong, Daniel De Jong, Gary Strei and Derek Strei. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
His devotion to his country and the cause of freedom was no more evident then when he willingly served with the United States Army as an artillery crewman in World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and looked forward to army reunions and the veteran's day pancake breakfasts - sharing stories and the camaraderie that was developed through a difficult time. Ray was also a member of the Hancock Community Choirs for many years, promoting patriotism through 4th of July programs.
On April 16, 1950, Ray publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ at the Christian Reformed Church in Hancock. He continued to be a member there throughout his lifetime, having also been a member of their Men's Society, Couple's Club, Consistory and Bible Study. Ray's church family was truly an extension of his own family and held a special place in his heart.
It was at the Christian Reformed Church in Hancock where he was also united in marriage to Julia Van Otterloo on June 22, 1950. As a couple they began farming near Glenwood in 1951, then near Cyrus in 1953, before moving to Hancock in 1961, where they farmed until 1977. Ray's passion for farming continued when he worked for area farmers: Henry Nelson, Lowell Nelson, Delray Nelson and Sons, Edgar Ver Steeg and Don Boon. He spent a couple of winters working at Lorenz Manufacturing in Benson. He also enjoyed driving for Riverside Express, checking out new places to have coffee and taking new routes for new sights along the way. He mowed lawns until the time when his health prevented it this past summer.
Ray loved his Lord, his family, friends, farming, feeding the birds, growing flowers and collecting model tractors. His family was also blessed with his homemade popcorn, soup, cookies and refrigerator pickles. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. However, he provided and left a wonderful example of living. Philippians 2:3-4 was evident in his daily life, "doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considering others better than himself; looking not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." He lived to serve others and to give all the glory to Jesus.
Ray entered the Courage Cottage in Morris on October 25, 2005, where he was lovingly cared for until the time of his passing from this life into eternity on Monday, January 2, 2006, having lived to reach the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his wife: Julia Bouma of Hancock; three daughters: Judy (Irwin) De Jong of Orange City, IA, Lois (Gary) Strei of Hancock and Bonnie (Dave) Stabnow of Nashville, TN; one son: David (Brenda) Bouma of Hampton, MN; 11 grandchildren: Shelly De Jong, Tom (Amber) De Jong, Sherry (Trent) Johnson, Daniel De Jong, Nathaniel De Jong, Jessica (Chris) Kerrigan, Melissa Strei, Derek Strei, Ryan Bouma, Justin Bouma and Tristan Bouma; 1 great-grandchild: Madison Kerrigan; two sisters: Bernice Vanderpoel of Detroit Lakes and Dorothy Burns of Hancock and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Frances Ras.
Pallbearers for the service are Ray's grandsons: Thomas De Jong, Daniel De Jong, Nathaniel De Jong, Ryan Bouma, Justin Bouma and Derek Strei. Carol Evink will serve as organist for the service with Mary Evink serving as pianist. Vocalists will be Edgar Ver Steeg, Irwin De Jong, Thomas De Jong, Daniel De Jong, Gary Strei and Derek Strei. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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