Gary DeBoer, age 83, of Rock Rapids, IA, died Thursday, April 18, at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 21, at First Baptist Church, George, IA, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present.
The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 22, at First Baptist Church in George with Pastor Jesse Sternke officiating.
Burial will follow in the First Baptist Church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the DeBoer family for later designation. The Jurrens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Ray DeBoer was born February 28, 1941, in Sibley, IA, to John H and Anna (Jurrens) DeBoer. He was welcomed home by his brother, Harlan George and sister, Erma Jean.
Gary married Janice Kay DeNoble on June 22, 1962. They have four children: Gregory Todd, Kimberly Jo, Dawn Rausche, and Jodi Lynn. They lived in the George and Little Rock areas.
Gary was very involved at First Baptist Church of rural George, IA, serving on the deacon board and as an Awana Commander.
He farmed and milked cows, selling his cows in 1974. Gary and Janice moved to Rock Rapids, IA, in 1989. Gary started his 32 total years of working in the maintenance departments at Rock Rapids Sanford Merrill Pioneer Hospital (April 1990-April 2019) and Rock Rapids Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital (May 2019-September 2022). He volunteered at Rock Rapids Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital from September 2023-November 2023. John Deere equipment and Massey Ferguson combines were Gary’s favorites.
“We’ll see what happens!” and “I have a predicament!” were two things you might have heard Gary say.
Gary is survived by: Greg & Sharon DeBoer (Kayla & Dustin Reck – Janessa & Landon), (Kristi & Joel Tiedeman – Harper & Brooklyn), (Brandon & Katie DeBoer – Kase, Graham, & Eli)
Kim & Dennis Winkowitsch (Derek & Leah Winkowitsch – Paisley), (Daren Winkowitsch)
Dawn & Kory Hayenga (Abby & Bradley Kramer – Jemma & Cooper), (Austin & Shelby Hayenga -Parker & Levi), (Aaron & Autumn Hayenga)
Jodi & Jeff Schrick (Jaren Schrick), (Jesse & Breanna Schrick – Ezra), (Jace Schrick)
Sister-in-law, Donna Shelly; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Gayle) Wagenaar; sister-in-law, Sandra (Allen) Freerks; and brother-in-law, Conrad (Audrey) DeNoble.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents, John and Anna DeBoer; brother, Harlan DeBoer; sister, Erma (Anthony) Arends; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Jeanette DeNoble.
A special thank you to the staff at Premier Estates in Rock Rapids and Good Samaritan Society in George.
