Maynard Albert DeBoer, son of John M. and Margaret (Ten Kley) DeBoer, was born December 7, 1934, in Sanborn, IA. He and his sister, Nellie, spent their youth in the rural Archer, IA area. As he grew into his fun-loving self, Maynard attended Sanborn Christian School for grades 1-8, surviving a bus accident as a first grader! He completed his education at Archer High School, graduating in 1952 as the class vice-president. He then enrolled at Northwestern College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in 1954. No playing sick or hooky from school as Maynard had perfect attendance for 12 years (1st grade through college)!

    In August 1957, Maynard was off to Korea to serve his country with the United States Army. Upon discharge a year later, he started farming with his father. As luck would have it, he met Betty Lehner while “cruising” downtown Sheldon, IA, and had the courage to ask her and her best friend, Sharon, if they would like to go for a ride with him… after that, their friendship blossomed. On January 24, 1963, Maynard and Betty were united in marriage at Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon. They brought an active and fun-loving family of six children into the world: John Jay, Timothy Ray, Sharon Kay, Donald May, Mark Cay, and Connie Faye.

    Maynard farmed alongside his father until his passing in 1985, and soon his own sons began farming with him. Maynard also did custom work such as shelling corn, hauling cobs to Sioux Center, cutting straw, baling hay, and combining oats. He was not known to sit still for very long and worked until the very last minute, which sometimes drove his family crazy as they were usually waiting for him by the door. Maynard loved God, his family, trees, dogs, being outdoors and could be seen in the field in an Allis-Chalmers tractor. His children remember the fun they would have when their dad played softball with them in their yard after their Sunday afternoon naps.

    Following Betty’s passing in December 1996, Maynard was united in marriage to Eunice Snuttjer on September 2, 2000, at Hope Reformed Church in George, IA. They enjoyed a comfortable life of retirement together, taking in many community activities, traveling and attending Allis Chalmers events. With his sons now doing more of the farming, Maynard had more time to check the newspapers to see if there were any Allis Chalmers tractors or equipment that he could pick up and add to his collection. He loved attending auctions, picking up parts for the boys, having coffee and cookies with friends, going out to eat, cruising the countryside in his Lincoln, and driving an antique car or tractor in local parades.

    Maynard’s faith was of the utmost importance to him, as he was a lifetime member of Archer Reformed Church and had served on its Consistory. He also acted as Mayor and community advocate for the town of Archer. He was a man of few words but had a wonderful sense of humor; his actions showed his love for others. Maynard knew all the statistics on Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment and had been a lifetime collector of anything Allis. He had also been a Wilson seed dealer, was able to fix just about anything that came his way, and was a great Dad and Grandpa. He often said, “Don’t buy new when the old will do”.

    On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Maynard passed away at his home in Archer, having reached the age of 91 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret DeBoer; his first wife, Betty; sister and brother-in-law, Nellie and Bill Nels.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Eunice DeBoer; children: John (Mary) DeBoer, Tim (Jessica) DeBoer all of Archer, IA, Sharon (Dwayne) Postma of Rock Rapids, IA, Donald (Shana) DeBoer of Archer, Mark (Laura) DeBoer of Primghar, IA and Connie Ferguson of Emmetsburg, IA; 28 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; as well as three stepchildren: Brenda (Rod) Polhamus, Arlyn (Dawn) Snuttjer, Wanda (Randy) Sneller; other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests

memorials be directed to the Archer Fire Department.