Annabel Bolks

     Annabel Bolks, age 84 of Sioux Center, IA, died on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at MercyOne Health care in Sioux City.    

     A funeral service will take place 10:30 AM, Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center with Clergy Dustin Bolks officiating.  Interment will follow the service in the Carmel Cemetery of rural Rock Valley, Iowa. 

     Visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7PM, Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the Memorial Funeral Home.

Annabel Bolks was born on April 22, 1937 to Robert and Gertrude (Vander Schaaf) Remmerde. She was born on the same farm where she currently resides, near Rock Valley, Iowa. She was the proud big sister to Ruth, and attended country school through the 8th grade. As a 2nd/3rd grader, she was involved in a school organization called, “The Rural Bible Crusade,” in which she memorized and recited the entire Gospel of John. For this impressive accomplishment, her teacher awarded her a Bible on February 17, 1949 that she treasured to this day. Annabel went on to graduate from high school in Sioux Center. Her childhood home was destroyed in a house fire and her family built a new one on the same spot. It’s here that she would eventually raise her own family. 

     On March 15, 1955, she married the love of her life, Harvey Lowell Bolks at Carmel Reformed Church. Harvey was in between his first and second 8-week assignments in the army when he and Annabel began their love story. After his second 8-weeks, Harvey was stationed in Germany for 16 months before returning home to his beautiful bride and firstborn son on the family farm near Rock Valley. They were richly blessed with 4 children. Annabel had been raising dogs from the time she was a young girl, and was successful in growing her hobby into a large network of business partners that was far reaching for the time. Along with dogs, she and Harvey also raised chickens for butchering, pigs and had several Shetland ponies. Annabel had a soft spot in her heart for animals, even helping Harvey pull pigs during difficult births. She farmed alongside Harvey out in the field plowing, harvesting the grain, and hauling it into storage. When not in the field, and not feeding the bean walking crews, she was found in the garden. Their cellar was always full of canned produce, canned meat, and strawberry jam from the strawberry beds. Harvey and Annabel were devoted members of the Church of Christ, where they continue to offer their support for countless ministry outreach programs, youth group activities and missionary work.

     Along with being a farm wife and raising her 4 children, she worked at the lunch counter at Family Bowl & Cafe in Hull, prepared breakfast at Hardees in Sioux Center, and then E & W Poultry near her farm for 19 years before retiring to her home. She cared for her father in her home until his passing. She was known to hire her grandchildren to clean her home and often paid them quite generously. Annabel often hosted extended family for visits and enjoyed explaining the relationships of each within her family tree. Harvey and Annabel eventually downsized by building a new home on the family farm, carefully and intricately designed by Annabel, who had a gift for attention to detail. She continued hosting her family for gatherings in their home until her passing. She loved being surrounded by her family.

     Annabel had many musical talents and is well known for her “angelic” voice that could hit the highest soprano notes, but also deliver the most beautiful alto tones with her natural vibrato. She played piano, organ, vibraharp, saxophone, and piano key accordion. She enjoyed the arts and theater and eagerly supported her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their performances on stage. Annabel will definitely be remembered for her hot, home cooked meals around the table and delicious desserts in the living room afterwards. Her family was her pride and joy and she loved having everyone together.

     She is survived by her husband, Harvey Bolks, and children: Verlyn and Pam Bolks of Rock Valley, Iowa, Sherwin and Leslie Bolks of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Alan and Donita (Bolks) Hansen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Valora (Bolks) De Bruin of Rock Valley. Iowa; 10 Grandchildren: Candace (Bolks) Renken, Dustin & Chaste Bolks, Aaron and Tiffany (Bolks) Seiler, Shaley Bolks, Skyler Bolks, Seth Bolks, Shantel Bolks, Alex and Jazmine (De Bruin) Koedam, Jade De Bruin and Brady Hansen; 16 Great-Grandchildren: Chaz, Caleb, Journey, Josie, Jersee, and Christian Renken, Kacen and Zayden Bolks, Eve, Jonah, Jacob, and Daniel Seiler, Maci, Fletcher, and Lennyx Koedam, and Royal Bolks, one brother-in-law, Rene Spierenburg, along with other family members.

     She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Ruth (Remmerde) Spierenburg.