Obituary of Ted Bootsma

    Ted Bootsma, son of Charles and Jessie (Boer) Bootsma, was born on September 14, 1930 at Sanborn, IA. He grew up on a farm by Sanborn along with his brothers and sisters. Ted received his education at Sanborn Christian School, graduating from Hull Western Christian High School with the class of 1947.

    On January 12, 1951, Ted was united in marriage to Nellie Joan Dykstra at the Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA. They began their life together on a farm near Sanborn and became parents to six children: Audrey, Roger, Sheryl, Kathy, Carol, and Terry. Normally, day-to-day farm work consumed most of Ted’s time, but when he could get away, the family liked to use it making some lasting memories on camping trips together. His children and grandchildren were always a constant source of enjoyment for him; times spent together were treasured. Ted also liked “tinkering around” in his shop on the farm, doing repairs or creating small woodworking projects for family and friends. If it was too cold to be outside, he could entertain himself with Sudoku or mastering a jigsaw puzzle.

    Ted was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Sanborn where he had served as a deacon and elder. He and Nellie volunteered to go with others on church mission trips to Mississippi and help with work projects in Mexico.   

    On Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Ted joined loved ones who had gone before him; he was 90 years of age.

    Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Audrey (Doug) Tiedeman of DeSoto, KS, Roger (Gracia) Bootsma of Inwood, IA, Sheryl (Rodney) Rensink of Boyden, IA, Kathy (Steven) Ver Mulm of Le Mars, IA, and Terry (Lori) Bootsma of Sanborn, IA; 18 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Thelma Tien of Sheldon, IA; sisters-in-law: Wilma Bootsma of Sheldon, IA, Carol Dykstra of Carlsbad, CA, and Shirley (Gene) Fokken of Eaton, CO; other relatives and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Bootsma in 2014; an infant daughter, Carol; his parents, Charles and Jessie Bootsma; brothers: Harry, Peter, Percy, Ralph, Garrold and Calvin Bootsma; one sister, Priscilla Wagenaar; sisters-in-law: Johanna Bootsma, Helen (Bootsma) Vander Stoep, Myrtle Bootsma and Evelyn Bootsma; brothers-in-law: Bill Wagenaar, Theron Tien, and Sid Dykstra.