Phyllis Netha (Halfpap) BOELMAN

BOELMAN, HALFPAP, GARTZ, WISA, KUHLERS, PALS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/28/2009 at 19:27:05

Belmond Independent, Iowa
November 24, 2009

Phyllis N. Boelman, 90, died November 18, 2009 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Services were held November 24 at the United Methodist Church in Goodell with burial in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery. Phyllis Netha, the daughter of John and Carolina (Gartz) Halfpap, was born December 3, 1918 east of Belmond on the family farm. She graduated from Belmond High School as valedictorian in 1936. She taught at Halfwassen No. 1 and Pleasant Township No. 8 country schools for several years. Phyllis married Andrew Boelman on Christmas Day 1940 at her parents' home. The couple was blessed with three children through adoption, and they were the greatest joy in her life. Phyllis was an integral part of the family farm. She did everything: raising chickens, milking cows, helping in the fields, raising a garden and canning the harvest. Phyllis had many interests. Andrew and Phyllis traveled throughout the United States as well as abroad, going to Hawaii and Germany. The couple also enjoyed fishing trips. She sewed beautiful quilts and was interested in genealogy and photography. Phyllis loved music and was a talented musician, playing the piano, flute and organ. Phyllis played the organ at many area churches. She also taught Sunday School for a time.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1984); son Andrew John; grandson Nathan; great grandson Blake; and sisters Marvyl and Jessie. Phyllis is survived by her children Kim (Beth) of Slater, Brent (Sheri) of Meservey, and Netha (Brian) Wisa of LeMars; grandchildren Joshua (Jessica), Adam, Dena, Tarah, Andrew (Heather), Jessie (Tanya), Tracy (Holden), Thomas (Jessica), Morgan, Lauren, Joy, Jordan, Jacob, Brian, and Joseph, great-grandchildren Emma, Elizabeth, Adrianna, Carter, Ezra, Makayla, Koby, Taryn and Kyler; brother Kenneth Halfpap of Belmond; and sisters Shirley (Carl) Kuhlers and Ruth Pals, both of Belmond.