Obituary of Cella Bosma

Marcella Faye (Cleveringa) Bosma was born in Canton, South Dakota on September 26, 1953 to Roger and Esther (Vanden Bosch) Cleveringa. Cella’s delight in learning started while growing up on a farm near Rock Valley, Iowa. For her elementary and secondary education, she attended Rock Valley Christian, Inwood Christian, and Hull Western Christian. Cella went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Dordt College in 1993. She had been working toward her Doctorate of Education at the University of South Dakota. Cella married her high school sweetheart and life-long storyteller, Jerry Lee Bosma on December 30, 1973 at First CRC in Rock Valley. As a couple, they lived in Utah for two years and then resided in Sanborn for the rest of their marriage. She was an active member of Sanborn CRC, determined to be a faithful nurturer for Christ’s community. Together, Jerry and Cella led Sunday School, Young Adult Bible Studies, and service-learning groups to Cary, Mississippi. Her delight for learning flowed into practical, Biblical teaching. As a classroom teacher, she taught at Sanborn Christian for eleven years and Sheldon Christian for seven. Cella was an Education Professor at Dordt College since 2000. In 2007, she received the alumni-selected John Calvin Award for excellence in teaching. She also was a leader in NW Iowa Reading Council, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Heartland Christian Teachers Convention. Cella loved life. She lived it full and fast, from her teaching to the very way she walked and talked. Her enthusiasm for living could be seen as she worked her garden, read to her grandchildren, made music, promoted education, and traveled throughout the world. This enthusiasm spilled into the lives of her family, friends, peers, colleagues, and students. Cella was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Harry and Estelle (Krikke) Bosma. She is survived and will be remembered vividly by her husband of 35 years, Jerry; son Joshua Bosma of Sanborn, Iowa; two daughters, Megan and Michael Ribbens of Abuja, Nigeria, Mindy and Souvanna Baccam of Hull, Iowa; six grandchildren: Kobi, Bailey and Miles Baccam, Amira and Nico and “Baby” Ribbens; parents Roger and Esther Cleveringa; siblings Norm and LaDonna Cleveringa, Marcia and Lee Rozeboom; and many other relatives and friends. In loving memory of Cella Bosma Born ~ September 26, 1953 Died ~ March 29, 2009 Age ~ 55 years 6 months 3 days Memorial Service 2:00 p.m. ~ Thursday, April 2, 2009 Christian Reformed Church ~ Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Pastor Dale Fopma Pastor Michael Ribbens Pastor Greg Dyk Eulogy by Dordt Colleagues Ed Starkenburg and Pat Kornellis Organist ~ Mary Lou Weilenga Pianist ~ Melody DeWit Violist ~ Catherine Schreur Soloist ~ Jason Alons “No More Night” Soloist ~ Janie Van Dyke “In Christ Alone” Congregational Singing “Amazing Grace” #462 “Peace like a River” #489 “To God Be the Glory” #473 “Soon and Very Soon” Pallbearers Mike Rozeboom Chris Cleveringa Shane Anema Kris Bosma Jeremy Van Beek Jesse Anema Honorary Pallbearers Kobi Baccam Amira Ribbens Bailey Baccam Nico Ribbens Miles Baccam “Baby” Ribbens Ushers Nate Schreur Mike Visser Brad Horstman Ryan Vos Bryan Vanden Bosch Cork Bootsma Kevin Wiekamp Denny Vos Flower Attendants LaDonna Cleveringa Shar Anema Phyllis Elgersma Lorna Vos Esther De Boer Edith Vanden Berg Judy Visser Interment Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, Iowa