Krommendyk, Bernard 1920-2009

KROMMENDYK, BOUMA, LEUSINK

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/15/2009 at 10:56:23

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 15, 2009

Bernard "Bernie K" Krommendyk, 88, of Cherokee, was received by the Lord on Easter morning, April 12, 2009, with his wife of 65 years, his children and his grandchildren at his bedside as he made the journey.

Bernie was born Oct. 31, 1920, at Hull, the son of Henry and Della (Bouma) Krommendyk. He graduated from Ireton High School in 1939. Bernie served in the 101st Airborne from 1942 until 1945. He parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, was captured a few days later and spent 11 months as a Prisoner of War (POW).

He was married to Ann Margaret Leusink on Aug. 17, 1943, at Grand Rapids, Mich. The couple lived in Le Mars for more than 40 years, and following retirement moved to Lost Island Lake near Ruthven. The last four years he resided in Cherokee.

He was a restaurant equipment salesman for McCormack Distributing in Le Mars for more than 40 years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church and a member of Wasmer American Legion Post at Le Mars.

He had been active in the work of POWs on a local, state and national level.

He enjoyed taking his family fishing and the last few years of his life were spent writing his memoirs and watching his grandchildren's activities. Bernie loved the Chicago Cubs, time spent playing cards with his children and being in parades representing the POWs of Northwest Iowa.

He is survived by his wife Ann and five children: James Krommendyk of Great Falls, Mont., Mary House and her fiancé Gerald Boatman of Cherokee, Dale (Robin) Krommendyk of Sioux Falls, S.D., Jayne (Randy) Martin of Rockwell City, Leanne (Troy) Valentine of Cherokee; eight grandchildren: Matthew House; Karah and Olivia Thompson, Spencer Krommendyk; Justin and Ryan Martin; Alanna and Trey Valentine; his brothers and sisters: Margaret (Simon) Disselkoen of Zealand, Mich., Leonard (Lorraine) Krommendyk of Orange City, Henrietta (John) Blacquire of Holland, Mich., Joanne (Dick) Hoogland of Sioux Center, Preston (Carol) Krommendyk of Fremont, Mich.; a sister-in-law Sylvia Krommendyk of Worthington, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Delmar Krommendyk; two brothers-in-law Pete Dykstra and Gary Leusink; and two sisters-in-law Alice Leusink and Frances Leusink.

Funeral services will at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee. The Rev. Ethan D. Sayler will officiate. Burial and with graveside military rites will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Ireton. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Visitation will from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.