Lawrence Bogaards

March 6, 1932 - February 15, 2017

Lawrence Bogaards, 84, of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. He was born Sunday, March 6, 1932, in Otley, the son of Andrew and Henrietta Menninga Bogaards. He attended country school in Marion and Mahaska County. On September 19, 1952, Lawrence entered the United States Army and served during the Korean War until 1954. On June 5, 1951, Lawrence was united in marriage to Bertha Jane Rozendaal in Pella. To this union three sons were born, Arvin, Mark and Bruce. Bertha died on October 24, 1975. Upon his discharge from the Army, Lawrence returned to the family farm near Leighton. On August 4, 1976, he was united in marriage to Harriett Joan Gilbert at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton. Together they continued to farm the family farm and rented other farms in the area until he retired in 1997. In 2009, they moved into Oskaloosa but continued to own the farm. He was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton for many years where he served as a youth leader when his boys were young. In 2010, he transferred his membership to Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. In retirement, he enjoyed reading and traveling, he especially enjoyed taking bus trips. His family includes his wife of over 40 years, Harriett Bogaards of Oskaloosa; three sons and their wives, Arvin Lee and Grace Bogaards of Fairfield, Mark Allen and Julie Bogaards of Tomball, Texas, and Bruce Leo and Janice Bogaards of Altoona; six grandchildren, Jeff Bogaards, Luke (Chelsey) Bogaards, Laura (Bob) Heath, Rebecca (James) Kleveland, Kelsey Bogaards, and Bryan Bogaards; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Pearl Van Waardhuizen of Pella and Ruth Van Hal of Pella; and a sister in law, Mattie Bogaards of Pella. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bertha; a sister and her husband, Shirley and Paul Stursma; a brother Gerald Bogaards and two brothers in law, Ray Van Hal and John Van Waardhuizen. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. There will be a family prayer service at 1:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6-8 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Central Reformed Church or Leighton Ebenezer Reformed Church.