Otto Bouma

OTTO BOUMA was born May 21, 1924 to Peter and Rolena (Baker) Bouma. He was born the third of 12 children. He grew up near Hull, Iowa on farms his parents rented until they bought a farm four miles east of Edgerton, Minnesota in 1942. As a young man, he enjoyed going to Val Halla Roller Rink by Lake Shetek and square skipping at the Edgerton Memorial Hall. Otto continued to help on his parents’ farm until his younger brothers were able to handle the work. In 1946, he headed out to find work in California for the year. He returned home to Edgerton and worked at A.R. Wood’s Manufacturing in Luverne, Minnesota. In 1948, he was drafted into the United States Army Reserves. When he returned home from training he was set up on a blind date with a young lady by the name of Bernice Baker. The couple dated and on September 7, 1950 they were united in marriage at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, Minnesota. Following a honeymoon to Niagra Falls, the newlyweds lived on an acreage near Steen. In October of 1950, Otto was called upon to serve our country. His orders sent him to Pusan, South Korea during the Korean War. He served for 10 months and upon his honorable discharge, Otto returned home to his bride and found work at Hanson Silos in Luverne and John Morrell in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In the spring of 1952, Bernice and Otto moved onto a farm two miles north of Steen, which they purchased in 1956. Here the couple made their home and raised their two children, Gwenlyn and Larry. Throughout the years, they farmed the land along with raising dairy cows, pigs and feed cattle. In 1988 they decided to sell the animals and simply farm the land. Otto and Bernice farmed for 38 years before buying a house and moving to Luverne in 1990. Even in retirement, Otto loved heading back out to the farm to help with the planting, harvest, and various odds and ends. Otto and Bernice were members at the Steen Reformed Church and later at the American Reformed Church in Luverne where they enjoyed Bible study. In December of 2014, Otto lost his beloved wife of 64 years. Otto continued to reside at their home in Luverne. On Tuesday, April 18, 2017, while at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, Otto went to be with his Lord, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 28 days.

Otto is survived by his two children, Gwen Mulder (Kevin Klooster) of Luverne, and Larry (Sally) Bouma of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Kyler (Brenna) Bouma, Cade and Sarah Bouma; a great-grandson, Flynn Otto Bouma; a great-grandchild on the way; siblings, Elvira Corbin of Edgerton, Merle Bouma of Livingston, Montana, Ken Bouma of Grandville, Michigan, and Elaine Joy DeGroot of Denver, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice; parents, Peter and Rolena Bouma; and siblings, Angeline Osterhouse, Tracie Lobbezoo, Henry Bouma, Julie Bolt, Mildred VanderLaan, Lowell Bouma and Marvin Bouma.

MEMORIALS may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.