Norman Earl Boonstra

Norman Earl Boonstra the son of Dick and Ann (Extra) Boonstra, was born February 15, 1925 in Sioux Center, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Maurice, Iowa, where he received his early education graduating from high school in 1942. Norman entered the military in 1943 and served as an Army signal Corps electronics technician and repairman during the Battle of Okinawa in WWII and later occupied Korea. Norman married Velma Van Driel on July 25, 1947 at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. After their marriage, he remained in Orange City, where he worked at a Chevrolet company as a bookkeeper. After 12 years of marriage, Norman returned to the Northwestern College in Orange City, where he received his degree in chemistry. Following his graduation, he was offered a head chemist position at Diamond Vogel Paint Company. He retired from this position in 1990. They moved to Spencer, IA in 2012 to be closer to his daughter and her family. Norman and Velma were very active in their church activities in Orange City and later Hope Reformed Church in Spencer. He also performed in 29 consecutive Tulip Festival night shows, and was active in the Gideon's Western District of IA. He also enjoyed camping, singing in the choir, spending time with friends at the Highland's, reading, watching movies and spending time with his family and friends. After their retirement, they enjoyed spending 14 years wintering in Arizona, where they spent their time golfing and hiking. He passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the age of 91. Norman was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Daniel in 2012; sister, Lois Vogel; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Myrna Boonstra; sister-in-law, Ann Boonstra and a brother-in-law, Vernon Mouw. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Velma of Spencer; one daughter, Julie and her husband, Jim Hill of Spencer; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Boonstra of Cedar Rapids, IA; five grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; two brothers: Harold Boonstra of Chicago, IL and Rudy Boonstra of Orange City; one sister, Mary Mouw of Orange City; one brother-in-law, Frank Vogel of Orange City other relatives and many friends.

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