Mary Boer

Rock Valley, IA: Mary Ellen Boer, 56, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Monday, May 31, 2021, at The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette, Wyoming where she had resided since 2019. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 4, at 10:30 AM at Rock Valley First Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Verlyn Boone officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.rvfrc.org/. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Thursday, June 3, from 6:00-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.    Mary Ellen Boer, daughter of Peter and Helen (Voetberg) Boer Jr., was born August 28, 1964, in Sioux Center, Iowa. Mary grew up in Rock Valley, Iowa and graduated from Rock Valley High School. She then attended college for a couple years at Northwestern in Orange City, Iowa and Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, Iowa. She worked for many years at Valley Machining and later Double HH Manufacturing in Rock Valley. In 2019, Mary moved to The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette, Wyoming. Being in Gillette allowed her to be close to her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Christie Boer and her grandson, Noah.    During Mary’s life she faced many health challenges including a brain tumor in her 20’s and several strokes in the years to follow. While these obstacles tested her, they could never steal her can-do attitude and her desire to live. She would keep her health strong by walking several miles a day and she would always have a smile during conversations with family and friends. Mary never complained about her health. Mary enjoyed collecting Barbies, crocheting, watching movies, and playing games, especially Scrabble. She looked forward to time spent with family and was especially close with her mother, Helen. Mary was a longstanding member of the First Reformed Church of Rock Valley where she participated in many church activities.    Mary is survived by her son, Matthew (Christie) Boer of Gillette; grandson, Noah Boer; three brothers, LaVerne (Ann) Boer, Harold (Helen) Boer, and Wayne (Pam) Boer, all of Lyons, South Dakota; sister, Joan (Dennis) Groeneweg of Rock Valley; close family friends, The Willis Den Boer Family; good friend, Dale Hamann; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Helen Boer.  Service Program Click to download / open