Dennis Gene Bouwman was born April 16, 1948, to Dick and Jeanette (Boekestein) Bouwman in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and grew up on various farms in Lyon County. He attended school in Lyon County through the 8th grade, later earning his GED. Denny also attended Northwest Iowa Community College for auto body mechanic training. With his first marriage, in 1969, he had five children, eventually settling in Pella. On June 19, 1985, he was united in marriage to Nancy (Klyn) Vogelaar and gained four step-daughters.

Denny worked as an auto body mechanic most of his life and owned Denny's Auto Body in Lynnville and worked for Tom's Collision Center in Pella. He also worked at Vermeer and Ring-O-Matic. Denny had many interests and hobbies. He loved the outdoors, including ice fishing, cat fishing, deer hunting, bird watching, and gardening. Denny also knew his way around the kitchen; he enjoyed canning, cooking, and baking. Being raised on a farm, Denny enjoyed several years on a farm east of Pella with Nancy raising sheep, goats, and a few cattle. After moving to town, he still had his tractor to till gardens and plow snow for others. He also loved animals; his favorite companions were his German Shepherds, King and Jackie.

Denny was a charter member of Heartland Reformed Church in Pella, where he served on the consistory and many other roles. Outreach and ministering to others were his passions, and he volunteered at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Store and at Lake View Camp. Denny was a very kind man and had a special gift for being able to strike up a conversation with anyone. He was always willing to help and serve others. He cherished being a husband, dad, step-dad, and grandpa. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he attended many sporting events, band concerts, and activities with them.

Denny loved the Lord and after two years of battling leukemia, he was ready to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the Comfort House in Pella.

Those left to cherish his memory:

Wife: Nancy Bouwman, Pella

Children:
Jolene (Don) Van Donselaar, New Sharon
Troy (Julie) Bouwman, Albia
Dawn (Duane) Van Gorp, Pella
Todd (Nicole) Bouwman, Cedar Rapids
Amy (Nick) Roefer, Davenport

Step-Children:
Brenda (Jeff) Cordes, Pella
Teresa (Matt) Van Weelden, Otley
Angela (Andy) House, Bellevue, Nebraska
Jessica (Joel) Van Zante, Olathe, Kansas

Brother: Roger (Karen) Bouwman

Sister: Carol (Bill) Meyer

Brother-in-Law: David (Brenda) Klyn

Sister-in-Law: Debra Klyn

Father-in-Law: Ray (Lois) Klyn

Denny was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents Dick and Jeanette Bouwman and a brother (in infancy) Lloyd Dean Bouwman, and mother-in-law Angelyn Klyn.

Denny will be remembered for his lively sense of humor and always encouraging family, friends, and loved ones.

Visitation

2:00 P.M., Thursday, June 16, 2016
With family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Heartland Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

Funeral Service

10:00 A.M., Friday, June 17, 2016
Heartland Reformed Church

Memorials

Heartland Reformed Church
Lakeview Camp

Family

Wife: Nancy Bouwman of Pella
Children: Jolene (Don) Van Donselaar of New Sharon, Troy (Julie) Bouwman of Albia, Dawn (Duane) Van Gorp of Pella, Todd (Nicole) Bouwman of Cedar Rapids, Amy (Nick) Roefer of Davenport, Step-Children: Brenda (Jeff) Cordes of Pella, Teresa (Matt) Van Weelden of Otley, Angela (Andy) House of Bellevue, Nebraska, Jessica (Joel) Van Zante of Olathe, Kansas