William DeBoom (1912-2011)

DEBOOM, VANDAM, DOUMA, SAMPSON, KURTH

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 7/10/2017 at 00:23:25

WILLIAM DE BOOM 1912 — 2011

William "Bill" DeBoom, the son of Adrian and Alice (VanDam) DeBoom, was born July 12,1912 in Gouda, the Netherlands. When he was 11 months old, the family moved to America and settled in the Archer, IA area. His father died when Bill was in the eighth grade. He completed that school year in Archer and the moved with his mother and several siblings to the Hartley, IA area. He graduated from Hartley High School in 1929. His mother and family continued to farm near Hartley.

On October 24, 1934, Bill proudly became a naturalized American citizen. That same year he and his wife and daughter moved to Sioux County, IA. Upon the retirement of his mother, they returned to Hartley where he farmed with his brother, Fred until 1962. They then moved to a farm near Primghar, IA.

He was a dedicated farmer and was named the Quad State Conservation Winner in Farming in 1971. He was a member of the Reformed churches in the areas in which he lived, and served on the consistory of the First Reformed Church of Sanborn and the American Reformed Church of Primghar. He also served on various community committees and was a former board member of the O'Brien County Funeral Association.

Following their retirement from farming in 1979, Bill and Zenna moved into a home in Primghar. They later lived in Sanborn and Sheldon. They enjoyed taking several trips during the winter months. During this time Bill developed the hobby of woodworking. Many family members and friends now cherish some of the beautiful and useful pieces that he crafted.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, and looked forward to visiting and playing cards with friends.

On May 30, 2007, while the couple was living at Prairie View Manor in Sanborn, Zenna died suddenly. Bill remained on the Prairie View Campus — first moving to Assisted Living, and eventually to the Nursing Home. He died there on September 27,2011 having reached the age of 99 years, two months and five days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; two children; granddaughter. Dawn Marie Douma; greatgranddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Kurth; two siblings who died prior to the family moving to America; six brothers: Adrian, Peter, Cornelius, Marinus, Fred and Anthony; and five sisters: Ann, Alice Gertrude, Nellie and Wilma.

He is survived by daughters, Darlene (Garry) Sampson and Delores (Brad) Douma, and son William R. (Sherri) DeBoom; nine grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, a brotherin-law, many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held September 23,2011 at First Reformed Church in Sanborn with Pastor Gary Hegstad officiating. Casketbearers were Katie DeKok, Barb Krull, Terry Kurth, Yvonne Verdoorn, Deanna Etherington, Amy Douma, Debi Douma, Timothy DeBoom and Elizabeth Swartz. Harriet Van Veldhuizen and Jeane Van Veldhuizen sang "It is Well with My Soul," and "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Congregational hymns were "Amazing Grace," "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," and "Blessed Assurance." Jill Dykstra was organist and Judy Dykstra was pianist. Burial was in Roseland Cemetery, Sanborn, with the Sanborn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, Sep 29, 2011