DeBoer, Marian A. (1929-2008)

DEBOER, MELS, RUGER, JOHNSON, POTT, WINECOFF, KROMMENDYK

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/7/2008 at 16:58:58

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, July 7, 2008

Marian A. De Boer, 79, of Le Mars, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at The Abbey of Le Mars.

Marian Anna Mels was born Jan. 12, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of John and Josephine (Ruger) Mels. She attended Pullman Technical High School in Chicago where she specialized in secretarial skills. While at Pullman Tech, Marian worked as a secretary for an Army General during the closeout of World War II. Following her graduation in 1948, she was employed by Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company as an executive secretary until 1951. She met Marvin "Bud" De Boer in Chicago, Ill., and the couple was united in marriage on March 17, 1951 in Chicago. They moved to rural Le Mars following their marriage where the couple farmed. Marian worked part-time for the Burton Dull Law Firm. Bud died May 23, 1974, and Marian went to work at Le Mars Community High School, where she worked in the office until her retirement in 1992.

Marian was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars. She was extremely active in her community and volunteered many hours with local groups like CSADV, The Abbey of Le Mars Auxiliary, Christian Needs Center, and driving others to the Cancer Center in Sioux City.

She was an avid gardener and a charter member of the Floyd Valley Federated Garden Club. Marian was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and quilter. She attended many of the Postal Playhouse and Sioux City Symphony performances. Her family and friends will remember her wonderful baking, especially her pecan pie. She was an excellent Scrabble player and worked the daily crossword puzzles - in ink.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, the Rev. Cindy Johnson of West Burlington; a son, Mark De Boer of Queen Creek, Ariz.; grandsons Kevin Schulz and his fiancée Amy Moon of Sioux City, Brian Schulz of Le Mars, and Michael Leonard of Dubuque; great-granddaughters Riley Jo Moon and Ryan Joy Schulz of Sioux City; a sister, Florence Pott and her husband Bob of Ft. Myers, Fla.; and a special niece, Valerie Winecoff of Le Mars; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerrold and Evelyn De Boer of rural Craig, Delmer and Ramona De Boer of Franklin, Tenn., Elroy De Boer of Le Mars, and Sylvia "Sis" Krommendyk of Worthington, Minn., along with several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bud; a son Keith De Boer; and a brother John Mels Jr.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Dale Fopma will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today (Monday) at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral