Donald Boer

Donald Boer, 91, of Hull, Iowa, passed away peacefully and was welcomed home on Saturday, March 14, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa, with Pastor Keith Hoekstra officiating. Burial will take place prior to the service at Hope Cemetery in Hull, Iowa.

Visitation, with the family present, will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the Christian school of your choice.

Donald Boer was born on August 24,1934, in Sanborn, Iowa, to John and Frances (Hoekstra) Boer. In 1940, the family moved to a farm south of Boyden where Don attended country school and graduated from Newkirk High School. On October 8,1954, he married Lylamae Vande Griend in Hull, Iowa. Don enlisted for a 2-year term with the United States Army in 1955. They first lived in Fort Benning, Georgia, and then were stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. While in the service, their two daughters, Debra and Pamela, were born. After returning home from the service, they made their home in Ritter, Iowa, where Don worked at the local elevator.

Don and Lyla moved to Boyden, Iowa, and in 1962, they became the owners of Boyden Digging Service. In 1995, he entered business with his sons, Darwin and Jerry, forming Boer and Sons Incorporated. Don enjoyed working with his boys, and later, his grandsons. Even after retirement, he spent a lot of time checking on their work or sweeping up at the shop. Don and Lyla moved to Hull, Iowa, in 2001.

Don and Lyla were faithful members of Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull. Family and faith were very important to them. They loved attending their grandchildren’s games and activities, often sitting in the front row. Don especially loved following the Western Christian and Dordt University basketball teams. In 2017, Don and Lyla moved to Aspen Heights. Don faithfully cared for Lyla until she died on December 24, 2019.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his children: Debbie (Jim) Bleeker, Pam (David) Sheffield, Darwin (Emily) Boer, and Jerry (Lavonne) Boer; 15 grandchildren: Jon (Tracy) Bleeker, Leah (Shawn) De Stigter, Katie (Tony) Reitsma, Jenni (Lee) Mellema, Tom (Ranae) Sheffield, Samantha (Dylan) Rolling, Chris Sheffield, Matt (Melissa) Boer, Scott (Tara) Boer, Sara (Evan) Wiersma, Greg (Jasmine) Boer, Erin (Kollen) Driesen, JD (Erica) Boer, Kelli (Ryan) LeLoux, and Tyson (Braelynn) Boer; and 42 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Myrna Koning and Veralyn (Mert) Plender, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his wife, Don was preceded in death by his parents, a great grandson, Cash David Sheffield, and 2 brothers and their wives, Peter (Kathleen) Boer and Marten (Dorothy Schumaker) Boer. He was also preceded in death by Lyla’s parents, Floyd and Nelvia (Kosters) Vande Griend, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerace (Clarice) Vande Griend, Joyce (Pete) Mesman, and Hank Koning.