Ed Bouma, 90, passed away March 30, 2017 and is at home with his Lord and Savior. Ed was born June 28, 1926 in Hull, North Dakota to Guss and Gertie (Nieuwsma) Bouma. At age 5, the family moved to Wyoming where they lived in Kaycee and Buffalo. When in high school, Ed and family moved to Lynden where he graduated from Lynden High School in 1944.
He served two years in the Army Air Force during World War II.
Ed married Wilma “Twerp” Nieuwendorp on July 26, 1944 in Sumas. Together they had five children.
Ed worked at the Bellingham Shipyard and later Knapp and Knapp Furniture. He and his brother Preston started Edwards Floor Coverings. He also operated a small raspberry business growing the best berries ever! Ed later became an independent floor covering installer.
As a hobby, he liked making frames for family photos. Ed was a cowboy at heart and enjoyed rodeos and occasional horseback riding.
Wilma preceded Ed in death on August 13, 1996.
He married Shirley Buizer on August 12, 1997. Ed and Shirley enjoyed traveling. His roots in Wyoming were deep and they often returned there to visit.
Ed loved to tell stories about his days in Wyoming; one of his favorites was smoking a peace pipe with Chief Weasel Bear.
Edward is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years Wilma Nieuwendorp, parents Guss and Gertie (Nieuwsma) Bouma, son Denny Bouma, brothers Harold Bouma and Preston Bouma, and stepson Dan Buizer, sisters-in-law Nellie (Tony) Staal, Dolores (Lawrence) Benner and Ada Biesheuvel and brothers-in-law John Nieuwendorp and Bob Blankers.
He is survived by wife of 19 years Shirley; children Sandra (Gary) Vander Griend, Duane (Melva) Bouma, Mark (Johna) Bouma and Tim (Kim) Bouma; step-children Colleen (Dan) Birkey, Jim (Dee) Buizer, and Claudia (Dave) Vander Hoek; 11 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 1 step-great-grandson. He will be missed by sisters-in-law Katherine Blankers, Karen Nieuwendorp, Louise Bouma, Charlene Bouma and Marjorie (Everett) Tyler; brothers-in-law Rich (Evonne) Biesheuvel, Roger (Gladys) Nieuwendorp, and Richard (Carol) Nieuwendorp and many nieces, nephews and friends.
You are invited to join the family for a time of visitation from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2017 at Gillies Funeral Home. The memorial service will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11 at Grace Baptist Fellowship, 338 N Park St., Lynden with Pastor Delaine Bailey officiating. Memorials are suggested to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
