Glenn Bolkema

GLENN ALAN BOLKEMA...
was born to John and Margaret (Postma) Bolkema on December 15, 1957 in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm near Rock Valley, Iowa. When he was four years old, he moved with his family to a farm southeast of Jasper, Minnesota and attended school in Jasper. When he entered the fifth grade, he went to Edgerton Christian School in Edgerton, Minnesota. After completing seventh grade, he continued his education at Jasper High School. In 1974, he moved with his family to a farm by Pipestone, Minnesota where he continued his education. After he graduated from Pipestone High School in 1976, he helped on the family farm. In 1981, he joined the harvest wheat run as a combine operator. After the run was completed, he did farm work west of Jasper for Ed Schneider for two years and then repair work for Rodman Welding. From 1984-1986, he became employed for K.A. Custom Feeds delivering feed. During this time, he was also a truck driver for Circle S Feed Mill. In September, 1986, he was united in marriage to Shela Gunnink at the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm near Pipestone where Glenn began installing and cleaning carpets for Bennett’s Carpet until he became employed for Bayliner Marine. Two years later, he began working as a jailor for the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Department. In 1989, he returned to work at Schneider Dairy Cattle and Pipestone Livestock. Working for the Schneider family turned out to be his favorite employment. The friendship of this family meant a great deal to Glenn throughout his life. In 1991, he moved to an acreage west of Jasper. He was diagnosed with ALS in February, 2002, as a result, Glenn sold the acreage and moved into his current home in Jasper. On Tuesday, October 7, 2014, Glenn graduated from the School of Hard Knocks at his home and is celebrating in his new home in heaven at the age of 56years, nine months and 22 days.

Glenn was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone where he sang in the choir and was a cadet counselor. He served on the board at the Sunrise Village in Jasper, the Farm Bureau board, and the Jasper City Council. He belonged to the Pipestone Police Reserves and the Hiawatha Club. He enjoyed collecting toys, sprint car racing, woodworking, and repairing and painting toy tractors. He also enjoyed sports, especially watching his sons’ baseball games.

He is lovingly remembered by his two sons, Alan and his wife Melissa Bolkema of Windom, Minnesota, and Bruce Bolkema of Jasper, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Jaade, Landon, Maxximus, Jaxson and Lincoln; one sister, Janice and her husband Larry Rickey of Canon City, Colorado; three brothers, Sherwyn and his wife Marilyn Bolkema of Orange City, Iowa, Arlin and his wife Renee Bolkema of Canon City, Colorado, and Loren and his wife Sue Bolkema of Fremont, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret; and one infant niece.