Rachel Ann (Kalkwarf) BOELMAN

BOELMAN, KALKWARF, TEGLAND, ROMA

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/26/2013 at 16:53:12

February 25, 1951 --- May 22, 2013

Belmond — Rachel Ann Boelman, age 62, of Belmond, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond, Belmond, surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held at 4 p.m., today, Saturday, May 25, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond. Pastor Jim Gochenouer will be officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Rachel’s name may wish to consider the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Wright County, the family or the donor’s choice.

Rachel Ann Kalkwarf, the daughter of Robert and Ilene (Tegland) Kalkwarf, was born February 25, 1951, at Belmond. She attended and graduated from Belmond Community Schools in the Class of 1969 and then went on to further her education at Iowa State University in the Clothing and Textiles sector.

Rachel was united in marriage to Verlyn Boelman on June 27, 1970, St. John Lutheran Church, Belmond. Their union was blessed with two sons, Lane and Reed, both of which were the “Apple of Rachel’s Eyes.” Following their marriage, the couple made their home and raised their children in Belmond, before moving to Marble Falls, Texas, in 1981, where they lived until returning to Belmond in 1989. During their years in Texas, Rachel was employed with the Highlander Newspaper.

Rachel was employed as a graphic designer with the Humboldt Newspaper in Humboldt, Iowa, for the past 23 years until her health forced her to retire from this occupation which she loved. The main focus in Rachel’s life was her husband and two son’s. She absolutely relished her role as a nurturing and devoted life partner to Verlyn and mom to her boys. Both Lane and Reed reflect fondly back on their years growing up and the fact that they could always count on Rachel looking over their shoulder and cheering for them in all that they were involved in. Whether, it was and athletic event or any other extra-curricular activity, Rachel and Verlyn rarely missed being their to support them in their successes and lift them up in their failures. She truly was their life cheerleader. In more recent years Rachel loved playing the role of “Grandma Rachel.” She couldn’t wait to spoil them when the family got together and they new just how to grab a hold of her heart strings.

Rachel enjoyed golf and for many years she and Verlyn were active members of the Belmond Country Club, where she played in ladies tournaments and couples events with Verlyn. She enjoyed spending time with her many friends. Rachel enjoyed music and was the organist at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond for many years. She was one who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and never cared too much about materialistic things in life, however, she truly appreciated the comforts of her most recent vehicle, “Rachel’s Rav.”

Those left to cherish her memory include, her husband of nearly 43 years, Verlyn Boelman, 311 Sixth Avenue N.W., Belmond, IA 50421; sons, Lane Boelman, Austin, Texas, and Reed (Anna) Boelman, and their two sons, Thomas “Peanut” and Joseph “Joe V” all of Red Wing, Minn.; mother, Ilene Kalkwarf, Belmond; brother, Earl (Julie) Kalkwarf, Belmond, also a niece, Jessica (Travis) Roma, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Andy Kalkwarf, Wichita, Kan.; also numerous other nieces and nephews, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; and her dad, Robert Kalkwarf. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa.

May 25, 2013
Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa