Henry "Hank" Bouman

HENRY 'HANK' BOUMAN was born to Wesley and Johanna (Mouw) Bouman on November 19, 1917 on a farm in Pipestone County, Minnesota. He was raised in Fountain Prairie Township of Pipestone County where he attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he helped on the family farm. Henry was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from June 11, 1941 until September 25, 1945. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In the spring of 1943, he was sent to Camp San Louis Obispo, California. Henry was united in marriage to LaVon Stevens on September 10, 1943, in the army base chapel at Camp San Louis Obispo. Following their marriage, he was sent to Oahu, Hawaii and LaVon returned to her parents' home. Henry served in the Philippines during World War II as part of the 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry Regiment Company G 6th Division. In the Philippines a 21 man special assault squad was formed, the first of its kind. With his training in flamethrowers and demolition, he volunteered to join the 1st Infantry 2nd Battalion Assault Squad. Henry was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze arrowhead and two bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with bronze star, and Philippine Independence Medal. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Pipestone County to farm. In 1948, he started custom combining for area farmers. Henry and Lavon rented farms in Aetna and Fountain Prairie Township until 1967 when they purchased his parents' farm in Aetna Township. They crop farmed and also raised cattle and hogs. He farmed until his retirement in 1982, when they moved to Holland, Minnesota. Even in retirement Henry continued to help on the farm into his mid-eighties. In October 2012, they moved into Sunrise Manor Nursing home in Tyler, Minnesota. LaVon preceded Henry in death on April 9, 2015. Henry remained at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home until his death on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 12 days.

Henry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland where he served as a trustee and janitor. He was a charter member of the Earl Gruis American Legion Post and helped start the Avenue of Flags at the Holland Cemetery. He was also a member of the Holland Senior Citizens. Henry was always the first to fix everything and his hobbies included restoring old engines and farming.

Henry is lovingly remembered by his three children, Carol Juliar and her husband Bernard of Surprise, Arizona, Robert Bouman and his wife Sandra of Tripoli, Iowa, and Bernard Bouman and his wife Janet of Ruthton, Minnesota; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister Henrietta “Etta” Wolfswinkle of Holland, Minnesota. Henry was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, LaVon Bouman; his parents; brother, Francis Bouman; sister, Winnie Dezeeuw; and infant great-granddaughter, Megan Franzen.