Calvin James Bootsma

IRETON, IOWA ~ Calvin James Bootsma, 77, of Ireton, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Veterans Administration Sioux Falls Health Care System in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

 Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Christian Reformed Church in Ireton, Iowa with Rev. Nate Kuperus officiating. Following the luncheon, burial with military rites will be at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Porter Funeral Home in Ireton. The funeral service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/IretonCRC/. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

 Calvin James Bootsma was born May 20, 1947, in Primghar, Iowa, the son of Peter and Johanna (Kaemingk) Bootsma, the oldest of 7 children. He attended and graduated from Sanborn Christian School, Western Christian High School and Dordt College. 

 Calvin proudly served in the United States Army from February 1968 to February 1970 and was deployed in Vietnam for one year attaining the rank of Sergeant. While serving, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism and several other medals and awards.

 Calvin married Patsy Mars on March 5, 1971. They made their home in Ireton, Iowa. Calvin was employed at Farmers Coop Society Lumber Division in Ireton for 23 years. He was also employed at Timber Roots (Hawarden), Farmers Coop Society Lumber Division (Sioux Center), and Bomgaars (Sioux Center).

 Growing up on the family farm, Calvin fell in love with farming and Farmall tractors. He continued to cultivate this love on his hobby farm. Calvin was an active member of Ireton Christian Reformed Church and supporter of Ireton Christian School. Memorial Day was special to him as he honored those who served with his family at his side. He also enjoyed woodworking, baseball, camping, giving tractor rides, and collecting treasures that he shared with everyone lovingly. 

 He grew up in a large family and family was important to him. He will be remembered by his children, Mary Jo and David Clark of Merrill, Iowa and their children, Gabe and his fiancé Erin, Paige, and Mikaela; Carl and Karoline Bootsma of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and their children, Carson, Karrie, and Christian; Karen and Brad Paulsen of Merrill, and their children Maxine and Jaxon; his siblings, Elvern and Helen Bootsma, Jo and Del Spronk, Janice and Bill Pearson, Phil and Barb Bootsma, Wendel and Helene Buys; sister-in-law, Barb Bootsma; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; son, Jared; and brothers, Jerome and Harlan Bootsma.