Gerald John Boerboom

Gerald John Boerboom was born on February 20, 1931, in Grandview Township to Jacob and Louise (DeWisplier). He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Ghent and Marshall. In 1952, Gerald entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fairbanks, AL, during the Korean War. On October 30, 1952, Gerald was united in marriage to Marian Girard. The couple farmed and raised their family in rural Marshall. Although they moved to Marshall in 1993, Gerald continued to be active on the family farm his whole life. Gerald loved telling stories and family activities. He was very proud of the family's 22 year annual camping trip. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, rolle bolle, going south in the winter, following sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and having fun. Gerald often said, "You can have all the money in the world, but the greatest asset is family and friends". He was a member of the PCA Board, American Legion, Knights of Columbus Third Degree and St. Eloi Catholic Church.

Gerald passed away surrounded by his family, on Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Marian of Marshall, son Lenny and wife Marilyn of Green Bay, WI, and children Kelly (Dan) Rowe, Chad(Nicole) and Kevin, son Darriel and his wife Ann of Marshall, children Kyle, Nathan and Brandon, son Dennis and his wife Dawn of Marshall and children Brent and Eric, son Curt and his wife Mary of Marshall and children Ryan and Jamie, son Marty and his wife Pam of Dassel and children Alex, Danielle, Mitchell and Cody, son Loren and his wife Taunia of Burnsville and children Dylan and Travis, son Rick and his wife Leticia of Coon Rapids and son Alec, siblings Bertha DeCramer, Edward (Marie Rose) Boerboom, Vincent (Prudence "Putts") Boerboom, and Geraldine (Norman "Bozo") Carrow, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Austin, siblings John, Harry, Gus, Bill and Henry, in-laws Mike DeCramer, Donna Boerboom and Ethel Boerboom.