Ivan De Boer

Ivan De Boer, 58, of Sioux Center, IA died Friday, November 23, 2012, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital. A visitation will be held on Monday from 5-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:30AM at the New Life Reformed Church with Rev. Ray Tilstra officiating. A private graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. In lieu of flowers or gift items, the De Boer Family prefers memorials be directed to Sioux Center Home Health & Hospice. Ivan Lee De Boer was born January 17, 1954 in Sioux Center, Iowa to John and Dorothy De Boer. He married his high school sweetheart, Arlis Van Beek on August 1, 1974 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. They have been known to family and friends as Ike and Ar for the past 40 years. Ivan began working as a John Deere mechanic at Sioux Service Center and Sioux County Implement. In 1985 when the dealership closed, Ivan and Arlis then started their own repair business, De Boer Repair, Inc. In 2008, they built a shop located just north of their house which was Ivan's dream. Ivan was a devoted, loving husband. He cherished his relationship with his wife. After a back injury, he lovingly took care of her. Ivan and Arlis loved taking trips together and frequently stayed at Bed and Breakfasts for special times together. Ivan loved the outdoors and especially loved the Black Hills and the mountains in Wyoming and Montana. During their travels, he was fond of reading all the signs along the way. Ivan loved anything to do with horses from the time he was a boy. Over the years, he had several of his own and also had a team of horses through the area's centennial years. He went on several wagon trains and had a buggy for the family when they rode in parades. Ivan loved history, especially family history and also enjoyed reading historical novels. Ivan had a very close relationship with his two sons, Michael and Jeff. He taught his sons the importance of integrity and loyalty and to do your best in whatever you do. He instilled in them a love and commitment to the Lord, their wives and their families. Because he wanted to be involved in their activities, he eventually sold all the horses and moved on to snowmobiles, the boys' first love. He loved snowmobile trips to the Hills and the mountains with his family and friends. During the summer, he enjoyed biking and 4-wheeling. Watching sports and playing games with family were also favorite past-times; a highlight was Hawkeye football parties on Saturdays. Ivan had a very loving relationship with his daughters-in-law, Gina and Amy. He loved them and encouraged them as if they were his own. He recognized each of their talents and gifts and knew how to make them feel loved and special. He enjoyed teasing and playing games with them and had a special bond with both. Ivan was known as "Papa" to his grandchildren and loved them passionately. They were the light of his life and leaving them, knowing he wouldn't be around to see them grow up was his greatest sorrow. He was a fun-loving Papa who thoroughly enjoyed playing tag, and giving 4-wheeler or tractor rides. They could always count on having a bowl of popcorn or ice cream and watching their favorite movie "Cars" with him. He believed God had granted him a special gift allowing him to see his third grandson before he died. Ivan was known far and wide for his experience and knowledge of John Deere tractor repair. He was hard-working, fair and conscientious in all his business dealings. He put in long days to be of service to his customers. He treated people with respect and honesty. He was fun and energetic and always had a word of encouragement and smile for everyone. He genuinely cared about the lives of others and no matter the time or place, he would stop and pray with them. He was known as a friendly conversationalist with a special kind of wit and humor that was uniquely Ivan. He took a special interest in the elderly and also the young men learning about life. His faith and involvement in his church were very important to him. He served as elder and on many committees over the years. He was known for his many "Ivanisms" both in his business and personal life. To his sons, it was always, "watch out for the deer" and "remember who you are." In business, he treated his customers the way he wanted to be treated and would always say "what Ivan would do." He loved food and enjoyed his wife's cooking. To justify a second helping, his comment was "you better eat now because you never know when you'll eat again." The list goes on and on. Ivan was diagnosed with Glioblastoma brain cancer on June 6, 2011. He had surgery to remove a tumor on June 15. He then began a battle with stage 4 terminal cancer and endured both radiation and chemotherapy. His goal was to not be a statistic and he bravely fought for time with his family. He wanted people to know that when you come to the end of your life, the most important thing is relationships. First, to have a personal saving relationship with the Lord; then to love your bride as Christ loves the church; and also to have a loving, servant heart for your children, family and friends. Ivan is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 38 years, Arlis; his two sons, and their wives and children: Michael and Gina (Van Ginkel), Kylie 9 and Carter 3; Jeff and Amy (Cleveringa), Trevan 4, Emma 2, and Colton 3 months; his brother and sisters: Hermina (Ken) Louwerse of Orange City; Ken (Gloria) De Boer of Macon, MO; Deloris "Lori" (Sherwin) Van Kekerix of Rock Valley; Marge (Gene) Van Kekerix of Sioux Falls, SD; Donna (George) Walters of Madison, SD; along with Arlis' family: Rallyn and Carolyn Van Beek of Sioux Center, Norlyn (Cherie) Van Beek of Ireton; Verlyn (Michelle) Van Beek of Sioux Falls; Brenda (Cal) Bolkema of Davenport, IA; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Dorothy (Westra) De Boer.