John Herman Bolkema

IN MEMORY OF
JOHN H. BOLKEMA

BORN
May 6, 1919
Hospers, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
September 27, 2007
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday
October 1, 2007
First Christian Reformed Church
Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Greg Timmer ~ officiating
VISITATION
Sunday, September 30, 2007
from 2:00 - 8:00pm
with the family present
from 2:00 - 4:00pm
at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
No. 388 “Rock of Ages”
No. 470 “Abide With Me”
No. 32 SfJ “Blessed Assurance”
No. 469 “By The Sea Of Crystal”
Organist: Alvina Krikke

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Granddaughters
Ann Snuttjer Stacy Suttek
Stephanie Yoakum Julie Bolkema
CASKET BEARERS
Grandsons
Mark Snuttjer Ryan Bolkema
Kyle Bolkema Chad Bolkema
Troy Bolkema Colin Bolkema
Eric Fick

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa
Presentation of the Flag by the:
Sheldon American Legion Post #145

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to
join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa
JOHN H. BOLKEMA

John H. Bolkema, the son of Herman and Maggie (Krikke) Bolkema, was born on May 6, 1919 near Hospers, Iowa. He grew-up in the Sheldon and Sanborn area, where he received his education. He served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II. On January 24, 1946, he was united in marriage to Gladys Van Meeteren in Sheldon, Iowa. They farmed in the Boyden area until July of 1993, when they retired and moved into Sheldon. His wife, Gladys, preceded him in death on January 10, 1997 in Sheldon, Iowa. John moved into the Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon in April of 2007. John passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa reaching the age of 88 years, 4 months and 21 days.
He was a past member of the Hull First Christian Reformed Church, where he had served as a deacon. Currently, he was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, the Sheldon American Legion Post #145. He enjoyed working on the farm, traveling and his retirement.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his five children and their spouses, Shirley and Larry Snuttjer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Marlene and Harold Fick of Beaver Creek, Minnesota; Glenda and Dan Van Fleet of Newton, Iowa; Harlyn and Linda Bolkema of Boyden, Iowa; Rodney and Lori Bolkema of Boyden, Iowa; eleven grandchildren, Ann Snuttjer; Mark Snuttjer; Eric Fick; Stacy and Jack Suttek; Stephanie Yoakum; Ryan and Rachel Bolkema; Julie Bolkema; Kyle Bolkema; Chad Bolkema; Troy Bolkema and Colin Bolkema; five great-grandchildren, a sister, Bea Van Velzen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brother-in-law, Jake Evink of Bellflower, California; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Ann Van Meeteren of Sheldon, Iowa; a special friend, Wilma Bootsma of Sibley, Iowa; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; an infant daughter, Delores; his parents, and a sister, Estella Evink.




God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.


But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way.
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy
Undying love…