Bernard Bylsma

Bernard "Bernie" Bylsma, 65, of Sioux Center, IA, died Monday June 27, 2011 at the Avera McKennan Hospital of Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30AM at New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Dan Kruse officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. Bernard (Bernie) Paul Bylsma was born on June 18, 1946 in Hull, Iowa to Lawrence and Julia (Vander Vliet) Bylsma. He was raised in Hull and attended Hull Christian School and Western Christian High School. After graduation Bernie worked with his father as a commercial plumber. Bernie married Carol Leanne Van Marel on April 30, 1966 at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. Bernie & Carol had one child, Leanna Coreen. Together they lived in Hull, Iowa. Bernie served in the 185th Air Guard, stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. Later, Bernie and Carol moved to an acreage near Sioux Center where he owned and operated a portable sanitation business. Bernie was a member of the Hull American Legion. Above all, he loved to spend time with his grandchildren, Jamie Lee Mulder and Lane Corie Mulder. His hobbies included motorcycling, boating and socializing. Survivors include his wife, Carolee; daughter, Dr. Leanne Bylsma-Mulder and her husband, Jim Mulder and 2 grandchildren, Jamie Mulder and Lane Mulder all of Sioux Center, Iowa; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Larry and Virginia Bylsma, David and Deeann Bylsma, all of Hull, Iowa; three sisters and brothers-in-law: Janice and Roy Bliek of Hull, Iowa, Helen and John De Kam of Doon, Iowa, Peggy and Jim Van Kekerix, of Monument, Colorado as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Julia Bylsma.