Anita L. Boyenga, age 81, of rural Ellsworth, Minnesota, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, May 11, 2023, while at home surrounded by her family.
A public visitation was Monday, May 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. A private family service was Tuesday, May 16. Burial will be held in the Stateline Cemetery, rural Ellsworth, Minnesota. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Anita Lucille Boyenga was born March 23, 1942, to Roney and Alma (Griesse) Wiese in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Stateline Presbyterian Church in rural Ellsworth, Minnesota. Anita was raised on the family farm southeast of Luverne. She attended country school through the eighth grade in Ash Creek, Minnesota, and graduated from Luverne High School in 1960. Following graduation, Anita attended the South Dakota Beauty Academy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
On November 18, 1961, Anita was united in marriage to Ronald Boyenga at the Stateline Presbyterian Church. Their first year of marriage was spent living on Ron’s parents’ farm near Ellsworth. They then rented an acreage two miles down the road which they would later purchase. Anita helped in various aspects of the farming operation in addition to raising five children. She also harvested from a large garden every year, canning and freezing the produce.
Anita was currently a member of the United Christian Church in Rock Rapids after being a lifelong member of Stateline Presbyterian Church until its closing. She was very involved in both churches. Through the years she helped teach Sunday school and Bible School, helped lead youth group, and filled the role of church secretary which included preparing the weekly bulletins.
Anita was gifted at sewing, crocheting, knitting and baking. She was known for her baby gifts of knitted blankets. She also knitted hundreds of sweaters which were donated to charities for children around the world. Anita grew beautiful roses for many years, providing the kitchen table with lovely roses throughout the summer. She was an avid reader and a faithful student of the Bible. She enjoyed a good game of pinochle, traveling, and especially attending her grandchildren’s events and activities. Anita will be remembered for her faithfulness in sending birthday and anniversary cards, her hospitality in hosting family holiday meals, and her generosity.
In her final years, Anita courageously lived out her cancer diagnosis without complaint, continuing to think of others before herself and maintaining a sense of humor.
Left to honor her memory are her husband, Ron; five children, Melinda (Chet) DeJong of Rock Rapids, Wanda (Mike) Jarchow of Luverne, Mike (Angie) Boyenga of Ellsworth, Hugh (Patrick) Boyenga of Sacramento, California, and Nicole (Chris) Maag of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Maxwell (Gracia), Luke (Madelaine), Emily (Matthew), Amelia, Elise, Griffen, Anja, Katia, Lydia, Carter, Simon, Brynn, and Maesa; two great-grandchildren, Jack and Henry; brother, Loren Wiese of Sioux Falls, and brother-in-law, Mark (Priscilla) Boyenga of Hamilton, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert (age 8) and Vernon Wiese; and two sisters-in-law, Annette Wiese and Ruth Wiese.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to ATLAS of Rock County, Minnesota or ATLAS of Lyon County, Iowa.