Location: Garden of Love, Lot 84, Section D, Space 2 (Arie), Space 1 (Artha). Arie: 1910 - 1990 Artha: 1910 - 2006:
Artha H. Bomgaars, 96, of LeMars, Iowa, died Monday, July 17, 2006, at Park Place Estates in LeMars.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2006, at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in LeMars. Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural LeMars. Visitation begins after 2:00 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in LeMars.
Artha was born January 1, 1910, at Alton, Iowa, the daughter of Gradus and Christina (Mouw) Korver. She attended school at the Academy and Northwestern in Orange City, Iowa.
She married Arie J. Bomgaars December 23, 1935, in Orange City. She received her B. A. degree from Westmar College in LeMars, graduating magna cum laude in 1968. She taught school in Sioux and Plymouth counties for 29 years, the last 15 years spent teaching second grade at Franklin Elementary School in LeMars.
She was a member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in LeMars, where she was very active as a ruling elder, deacon, choir member, Sunday School teacher, and women's groups, and she was a member of Mother's Club for many years, supported and entertained many groups with her husband, Arie, in their home. Artha was a soprano soloist for many church and community events.
Artha traveled widely, nationally and internationally, including an around-the-world trip in 1970, three trips to Kathmandu, Nepal, and many visits to Hawaii. She enjoyed sharing crocheted gifts with family and friends, reading, and keeping track of her family on their travels.
Survivors include a daughter, Dr. Mona R. Bomgaars of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a son, Robert Bomgaars and his wife, Cathy of Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Shannon Sarina, Dr. Stacey Bomgaars-Trueworthy, and Cory Bomgaars; five great-grandchildren, Jack Sarina, Ella Sarina, Will Sarina, Ava Trueworthy, and Oscar Arie Bomgaars; and one brother, James Korver and his wife, Marian of Orange City.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arie J. Bomgaars, who died August 11, 1990; four brothers, William, Henry, John, and Marion Korver; and three sisters, Min Muilenburg, Martina Muilenburg, and a sister who died during infancy.
Published in The Sioux City Journal (August 13, 1990), page 18:
Arie John Bomgaars, age 80, of Le Mars, Iowa, long-time LeMars insurance executive and church and civic leader, died Saturday, August 11, 1990, at the Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars. Arie was born March 21, 1910, in Orange City, the son of John Arie and Kate (Vander Wilt) Bomgaars. He graduated from Northwestern Classical Academy and Northwestern Junior College in 1930 in Orange City and taught rural school in Sioux County from 1931 to 1934.
Artha Kover and Mr. Bomgaars were married December 23, 1935, in Orange City. He graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1936. He had taken graduate studies in education at Wayne State University, Detroit; and Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Bomgaars became principal and superintendent of Hospers schools from 1937 to 1945. He taught mathematics at Le Mars High School in 1945-46. Arie became a full-time New York Life Insurance underwriter in 1946 and continued until his death, with over 45 years with the company. He was classified as a past-senior NYLIG and was a member of the Million-Dollar Round Table of the insurance company.
He was a member of Presbyterian United Church of Christ, where he served several times as trustee and six terms as an elder. He began teaching Sunday School at the age of 18 and continued in that capacity until age 75. Mr. Bomgaars was instrumental in the talks that led to the merger of the former First Presbyterian Church and the former St. John's United Church of Christ. Mr. Bomgaars held several posts in the Northwest Iowa Presbytery and was honored by being elected moderator of the Presbytery in 1974. He also had been a delegate to the general assembly.
Arie was an active scoutmaster from 1938 to 1964, and served on many Boy Scout committees. In 1959 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service to scouting. He presented numerous Eagle Scout and God and Country Awards throughout Northwest Iowa. He became an active promoter of the Plymouth County Work Activity Center, providing educational and employment opportunity for handicapped young people and adults. He had several terms on the center board of directors, including the president. Arie was involved in almost all community efforts of humanitarian value in Le Mars. He promoted fund-raising campaigns for schools, Floyd Valley Hospital, Westmar College, and medical foundations. He was active in the Rotary Club and served a term as president. In 1977, he received the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind award, and in 1980 the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Decade Award. In 1988 he was honorary chairman of the Knights of Columbus work activity center's fund-raising campaign.
Survivors are his wife, Artha, of Le Mars; a daughter, Dr. Mona Bomgaars, chairperson of the Department of Family Practice, Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois; a son, Robert Bomgaars, vice president of marketing of Security Connecticut Insurance Company, Kansas City, Missouri; a brother, John Bomgaars of Sioux Center, Iowa; and three grandchildren, Shannon, Stacey, and Cory.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services: Presbyterian United Church of Christ - Le Mars, Iowa
Officiants: Reverend Robert Grupp, Reverend Dale George, and Reverend James
Ransom Inter
Interment: Resthaven Memory Gardens - Le Mars, Iowa
Arrangements: Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home - Le Mars, Iowa
A memorial service will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel on Saturday February 28th at 1:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at Patrick's Bar and No Grill, 8251 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 816-444-3707.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions to the Missouri Dept. of Conservation 2301 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Bob was born March 4, 1943 in Orange City, Iowa and grew up in LeMars, Iowa.
Bob graduated from Iowa State in 1965 with a BSC in Economics and had a lifelong affiliation with the TKE fraternity and was student manager of VEISHA.
Bob joined his father at New York Life after college and was quickly promoted to become one of New York Life's youngest General Managers. He went on to become a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and finished his career as a Senior Vice President with ING.
Bob was nothing if not charismatic; he always offered a warm smile, a sarcastic comment and a glass of scotch. Known as an avid outdoorsman he could often be found with a gun in his hand.
Bob was a wonderful husband, father and friend - as these were always the top of his list in conversations. Bob was gifted with a presence that attracted people - a force of life that will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arie & Artha Bomgaars.
Survivors include his wife, Cathy Bomgaars; his children: Shannon Sarina, Stacey (Bryan) Trueworthy, Cory (Karen) Bomgaars; a sister Mona Bomgaars; grandchildren: Jack, Ella and Wilson Sarina, Ava and Vincent Trueworthy, Oscar and Andrew Bomgaars.
McGilley memorial Chapel.