Edward Ray DeBoer, 79, Luverne, died Monday, July 29, 2019, at his home.
A memorial service was Saturday, Aug. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial with military honors followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock, Iowa.
Edward DeBoer was born on Aug. 27, 1939, the youngest of twelve children, to Peter and Edna (Smook) DeBoer on a farm near Ellsworth. He attended school in town. Ed graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1958. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy on Jan. 8, 1959, where he served as a boiler technician – petty officer third class.
On June 28, 1960, Ed married Glenda Zylstra at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Iowa. Upon Ed’s honorable discharge on Jan. 7, 1962, the couple made their home in Luverne. He began his career working as a boiler tender for Mid Packing, which became IBP and then Gold’n Plump. He retired in 2008.
Ed and Glenda enjoyed spending winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona. Ed enjoyed reading, taking walks and sitting in the sunshine.
Ed was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. He loved trapping and taught this skill to many people. He enjoyed playing pinochle and was a part of a card club for over 50 years. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, coin collecting, doing puzzles, listening to polka music and taking care of his cat, Pebbles. He was an incredible cook and made the best soups from scratch. He was a Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. Ed was an avid reader of all books written by Louis L’Amour. He loved his family and grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda; three children, Lyndon (Shirley) DeBoer of Apache Junction, Arizona, Lonna (Todd) Heideman of Adrian, Laresa DeBoer (Marc Terhaar) of Chaska; and four grandchildren, Colton DeBoer, Kody Heideman, Ethan Heideman, and Tannen Heideman; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Valeran DeBoer and Dawn DeBoer; a granddaughter, Perri Heideman; three sisters, Fern Visker, Edna Hassler and Gertrude Koppman; and eight brothers, Harm, Jake, Hilko, Otto, Pete, Tom, John and Hank DeBoer.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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