Bylsma, Carol Leanne (Mrs. Bernard Paul) 1947-2023

BYLSMA, PUNT, VANMAREL

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/9/2024 at 14:41:47

Carol Bylsma, age 76, of Sioux Center, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at her home in Sioux Center.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, November 30, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center. There will be a funeral service on Friday, December 1, at 10:30am, at the church with the Rev. Carl Boersma and the Rev. Dan Kruse officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

Carol Leanne was born on April 4, 1947, in Orange City, the daughter of Irwin John and Anna Irene (Punt) Van Marel. She was raised on a farm southwest of Sioux Center. She cherished the fact that her two grandsons graduated from the Sioux Center High School, just as she did in 1965. She then continued her education at Stewart’s School of Cosmetology in Sioux City and opened Carol’s Beauty Salon in her home, where she served her loyal customers.

On April 30, 1966, she was united in marriage to Bernard Paul Bylsma. They lived on Birch Street in Hull and raised their only child, Leanna Coreen. They all treasured the lifelong friendships they made in their neighborhood. In 1988, she and “Bernie” moved from Hull to live on the farm where Carol grew up. She was proud of the fact that the farm had been in her family for over one hundred years, and they were recognized for having a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair. In 2006, Bernie and Carol celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on a Disney Cruise with their family, a memory that Carol treasured. Bernard passed away on June 27, 2011, in Sioux Falls, after more than 45 years of marriage.

For the majority of her working years, Carol was employed at K-Products in Orange City, which later became American Identity and eventually Staples. She was known as “Carolee” to her coworkers, and after starting in production, and learning how to perform every job in the factory, she was promoted to national sales. For more than 35 years, she was a loyal employee and made top salesperson numerous times.

Carolee moved into a condo in Sioux Center in 2018 and made daily trips to the farm to care for the horses, cats, and dog. She rescued many animals and felt that it was her calling to care for God’s creation. She liked to socialize with her family and friends, and was very generous, loving, and kind to everyone she met. She also enjoyed being outdoors, especially on the boat at the lake, and she looked forward to attending her grandsons’ events, which she never missed. Her greatest joy in life was her family and they will remember her as a truly beautiful woman both inside and out.

Carolee grew up at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, and following her marriage, was a member of the American Reformed Church in Hull. Most recently, she enjoyed watching Sunnybrook Community Church on the television and attending their annual Christmas service with her family.

She will be deeply missed by her loving daughter, Leanne Bylsma-Mulder, and her husband, Jim Mulder, of Sioux Center; her two precious grandchildren, Jamie Mulder, and his wife, Hannah, of Shakopee, Minnesota; and Lane Mulder, of Iowa City; a brother, Ivan Van Marel, and his wife, Sharon, of Corsica, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Memorials will be given to Carolee’s family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.