Ymker, Elmer 1930-2009

YMKER, BOSCH, DEBOER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 9/16/2013 at 00:11:17

Source: Porter Funeral Home Obituary(2009)

Born: June 24, 1930
Died: March 31, 2009

Elmer Ymker, 78, of Hawarden, died Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Akron, Iowa Care Center.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the Hawarden Community Church with Rev. Doug Baker and Pastor Stuart Schreur officiating. Burial will follow in the Grace Hill Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will begin at noon Friday, with the family present from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. and a prayer service at 7 P.M. at the church. The Porter Funeral Home of Hawarden is assisting the family, with complete obituary and condolences at www.porterfuneralhome.com.

Elmer Ymker was born June 24, 1930 in Stickney, South Dakota, the son of Lambert and Hattie (Bosch) Ymker. He attended rural school near Fairview, South Dakota and served with the US Army during the Korean War, serving from April 1953 to April of 1955. Elmer married Joanne De Boer October 21, 1953 at her parent’s home in Carmel, Iowa.

Following his service in the Army the couple began farming, first with his mother and then on their own in the Alcester and Hawarden areas. Elmer bought and sold feeder pigs and later enjoyed buying feeder cattle. In his later years he was up at 4:30 A.M. joining his buddies for coffee at Kum and Go. Elmer’s health began to decline, with a leg amputation in 2005. He moved to the Akron Care Center in March of 2008. Through all of his health problems, his sense of humor never left him as he loved to play jokes on many people. He appreciated his friends and neighbors, especially Juan who always went out of his way to help Elmer. He also enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne; Children, Larry and special friend Rickie Mork of Alton, Iowa, Jerry and his wife Helen of Hawarden, son-in-law, Mark De Kock and wife Kathy of Alcester, South Dakota, Elma Carlson and her husband Don of Beresford, South Dakota, Ruth Nilson and husband Scott of Hawarden, and Randy and wife Nita serving in the US Air Force in the United Kingdom; brother, Fred and wife Lucy of Inwood, Iowa; sisters, Bertha Van De Vendel and husband Cornie of Rock Valley and Minnie Wallenburg and husband Rich, also of Rock Valley; a sister-in-law, Bernice Ymker of Sioux Falls; 22 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Joyce DeKock; brother, John; and many other loved ones.