- Date Of Birth: November 19, 1924
- Date Of Death: September 4, 2008
- State: Iowa
Donald Boertje was born November 19, 1924 to John and Barbara (Van Ryswyk) Boertje in rural Jasper County. He attended several country schools and graduated from Prairie City High School with the class of 1943. After graduation Don enlisted in the Air Force and served nearly five years during World War II and the Korean War. During his working years Don held a variety of jobs related to farming, including selling feed and servicing farm machinery. He also worked at Maytag and Pella Rolscreen. In 1968 he purchased a farm from his in-laws and worked there until health problems forced him to retire in 1994.
Donald was also interested in sustainable agriculture and the preservation of farm land. He was an avid reader of newspapers, magazines, books, and even cereal boxes if nothing else was available at the breakfast table. Just days before his death he was able to surf the Internet for the most current news and interesting blogs.
In recent years he had become a familiar figure as he rode around town on his battery powered scooter.
He is survived by his wife Helen of Pella; his daughter Carlyn Wei Marron and her husband, Scott Marron of Des Moines; his son Roger Boertje and his wife Toni of Pella; five grandchildren: Alex Wei, Jessica (Cory) Lehman, Cassandra (Brady) Archibald, Jake (Becky) Boertje, Hunter Boertje; one great-granddaughter: Kiarrah Mae Lehman; his step-grandchildren: Quinn and Ian Marron. He is also survived by his brother Virgil (Shirley) Boertje of Pella and his niece Barb De Vries and nephew Bruce Boertje and their families.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Ken Wei.
11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Pella, Iowa
After Noon, Monday, September 8, 2008
with family present 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Pella, Iowa
Hospice of Pella
Marion County Historical Society
Pella, Iowa
