Noteboom, Thomas 1924-2010

NOTEBOOM, DEBLAUW, DEJONG

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/14/2010 at 20:04:16

Thomas Noteboom
September 16, 1924 - October 28, 2010
Tom Noteboom, 86, of Orange City, passed away peacefully at the Orange City Area Health System Hospital on Thursday, October 28, 2010.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, November 1, at 10:30am, at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. David Heilman will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery. There will be a prayer service on Monday, at 9:30am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Tom was born on September 16, 1924 to Arie C. and Lucy (De Jong) Noteboom in Orange City. He attended the Orange City Christian School and Northwestern Academy. He worked in Sioux Falls and then enlisted in the Navy. After a year of training, he was assigned to ship navigation duties and moved into the Pacific Theater. He was discharged in March of 1946 and settled into a postal job, designing the first city routes, and eventually becoming a rural mail carrier.

On July 24, 1951, Tom married Elinor de Blauw, daughter of John and Angeline de Blauw. They had three children: a daughter, Lucinda, Mrs. Mark Huizenga; a son, Michael, who married Renee Faber; and Thomas II, who married Brenda Obbink.

Tom and Elinor were members of Calvary Christian Reformed Church (formerly Second CRC) where he served as a council member for many years.

Tom returned to college at Northwestern to finish a degree in history. He then studied at USD, graduating with an MA in history. He became a part-time instructor at Northwestern College for 20 years. His enjoyment of history found expression in his active involvement in the Heritage Museum at Orange City. It was during this time that the Vogel family purchased a important collection of Indian artifacts. The museum was then moved from a house to its present location south of the courthouse. Other space and antiques were added to make the museum the active place it is now. In 1981, Tom and his son, Mike, began a business together, Noteboom Electric. This business continues to serve the area today.

He is survived by his wife and three children and their spouses, along with brothers, Vernon and his wife, Carol; and Arie Jr., and his wife, Mary Lou. Additionally, he is also survived by sisters-in-law, Leona Noteboom and Joanne Noteboom, and step-brothers and step-sisters and their spouses, Harold and Ann Boonstra, Bob and Verna Mae Boonstra, Norm and Velma Boonstra, Frank and Lois Vogel, Mary Ellen Mouw, and Rudy Boonstra. They were blessed with 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Peter; brothers, Peter I. Noteboom and Ron Noteboom; sister Luetta (Mrs. Glenn Oolman); sister-in-law and niece, Bernice and Carolyn Noteboom; and step-mother, Ann Boonstra-Noteboom.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home obit.