John Alvin Den Boer
January 3, 1942 — July 10, 2017
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John A. Den Boer, 75, of Dell Rapids passed away at his home Monday, July 10, 2017.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, July 14, 2017 at Reformed Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in Logan Reformed Church Cemetery, rural Dell Rapids.
Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a Prayer service at 7:00 PM Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.
John was born at the family home near Rock Valley, Iowa, on January 3rd, 1942. The son of Peter and Jennie (Meendering) Den Boer, he graduated from Hudson High School. He married Eldine Kempema on June 9th, 1964 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley. The couple initially made their home in Sioux Falls and moved to Dell Rapids in 1978.
John was a welder for most of his life and was often referred to as “Rapid John”. He owned his own welding shop in Dell Rapids and later worked for Dressen Custom Trailers for many years until he retired. He had an array of talents including welding, neighborhood repairman and woodworking. In his pastime, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, NASCAR, cooking, baking, and traveling. Most Sunday nights he could be found at Huset’s Speedway. More recently, John enjoyed having coffee and playing cards with neighbors and friends and attending various activities of his grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Eldine; parents and a brother-in-law, Loren Wiese. He is survived by his daughter, Barb (Terry) Kriens of Dell Rapids; daughter, Laura (John) Vortherms of Dell Rapids; son, Kevin (Helene) Den Boer of Hendersonville, North Carolina; 5 grandchildren, Janilyn Klein, Macey Kriens, Derrick Vortherms, Kaitlyn Vortherms and Vega Den Boer; great-grandchildren, Terryn and Korbin Klein. He is also survived by brothers, Willis (Kathy) Den Boer, Darold (Joanne) Den Boer and Peter (Arlyce) Den Boer; sisters, Judy Wiese and Jean (Randy) Zomer and brothers and sisters-in-law Roger (Hilaine) Kempema and Norman (Deb) Kempema.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are directed to Reformed Church or St. Mary Catholic School.
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