Gerald Rozenboom, 86, of Pella and formerly of Peoria, died Nov. 24, 2020. A family funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 28, at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Memorial contributions may be designated for the Peoria Christian School, Oskaloosa Christian Grade School, or Pella Christian Grade School.
Gerald James Rozenboom was the first of 10 children born to Johan (Joe) and Gertrude (Van Maanen) Rozenboom. He was born on his parents’ farm near Rose Hill on Aug. 14, 1934. Gerald attended country school near Cedar, Oskaloosa Christian Grade School, and Pella Christian High School. He then returned home to help his dad and uncles on their farms. He and Geneva Jean Dahm met at Young Peoples Society at Peoria Christian Reformed Church and were united in marriage on Apr. 7, 1955. Gerald met his military service obligation when he enlisted in the Army National Guard of Iowa that same year. Gerald and Geneva were blessed with four children: Wavern Dean, Dennis Wayne, Debra Sue, and Merlin Jay.
Gerald (who was lovingly known as Boom) and Geneva started their married life as farmers. Gerald was a hired hand for area farmers. When the move was made to Peoria, Gerald started working as a truck driver for Peoria Stockyards. When the owners decided to build a truck repair shop, they asked Gerald to become their mechanic. This started a lifelong occupation for Gerald. He eventually started a business, Richland Auto, and later when the stockyards sold their shop he bought it and moved his business to start what would later become Peoria Truck and Farm Repair. He also started the Peoria Truck Lines. He was so proud to have a business that his sons could work with him in. He cultivated many friendships through his truck drivers and customers. They will still tell you today of the extra mile Gerald went when they couldn’t pay their bills or needed to be home with their family.
When he retired, he joyfully went back to his roots of farming and helped his son-in-law in the fields. The white house in Peoria will always be home. The neighbors in Peoria were a second family. The kids of this small town all played together and especially loved playing ball in the pasture. They also loved their traditions of New Year’s Eve with their neighbors. He loved the people of Peoria church and school. He made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ there and remained a member until the end. He faithfully served on council at the church and many boards at school.
One way Gerald lived out his faith was through his singing. His neighbor growing up said she could hear him singing from the tractor seat. He sang at numerous weddings and funerals. But his best memories were the evenings spent around the piano with three men and a pianist who would become his lifelong friends. This quartet sang at many churches and gatherings. Another joy was singing in the Gospel Singers Male Chorus in Oskaloosa. He loved the camaraderie of lifting his voice to God with area men, who included his sons, his brothers, and many cousins. Most recently, he treasured the sibling weekends where they would gather around the piano and sing the well-loved hymns.
Gerald loved anything that moved. Whether it was his semi, his cars, his pickups, his motorcycle, or his M and M tractors, and when he was no longer capable of driving a motor vehicle, his beloved scooter. He would be seen leaving their apartment, going across the highway to Ulrich Ford where he would chat with the guys and look at all the vehicles in the parking lot. He enjoyed being a member of the Pella Car Club and especially the Red Rock Threshers. He went on many tractor rides with this group and also enjoyed the WHO Tractor Ride. He was thrilled when his siblings joined him and loved the special memories made with them on these rides.
Gerald and Geneva loved traveling. They would jump in the car and visit their son and his family in Colorado or siblings and their families in Missouri, Massachusetts, and Arizona, with stops at nieces and nephews and friends on the way. Later in life, it gave them great joy to be able to visit many of their grandchildren’s homes, especially when those great-grandchildren were added. They cherished many motorcycle trips, car trips, and cruises with their lifelong friends.
Gerald showed his love for his Lord quietly but it was such a deep faith. He taught his children the importance of reading the Bible and having devotions. In his times of sorrow, he would be found reading the book of Job, reminding him that this life has joys and sorrows and through each God was with him. He loved his family, and they were so important to him. His children noted the love he poured out on his grandchildren. His grandchildren will tell you of the countless hours playing games and watching TV with him, but they knew if grandpa was home you didn’t sit in his chair! They all loved watching their grandparents playing a really competitive game of Sorry. The love of music was passed on to his children and grandchildren. They didn’t miss their children’s choir or band concerts. And later in life, they enjoyed watching their grandchildren perform in concerts, plays, and sports. Later, Papa Boom and Grandma Great opened their arms to the many great-grandchildren and loved when they would come for a visit.
In 2008, Gerald and Geneva’s life was dramatically changed forever when Gerald suffered a debilitating stroke. Geneva faithfully stayed by his side and cared for him. He was determined to walk and drive again, and with his stubbornness both were accomplished. His love for reading grew at this point. Most days you would find him in his chair with a book in his lap. He would gladly discuss any book with anyone who was interested. He also decided if he couldn’t work anymore, he would go visit. He made many visits to people who couldn’t get out anymore and to relatives he loved to talk to. In 2014 after a fall, the decision was made to move from their beloved home in Peoria to Vriendschaap Villiage and in 2019 to Fair Haven and then just recently Gerald was lovingly cared for by the staff at The Cottages. Gerald quietly slipped away Nov. 24, 2020, reaching the age of 86 years and had celebrated with Geneva their 65th anniversary in April. Gerald never knew a stranger and could talk to anybody. He will be lovingly missed by all who knew him but especially his family and their families: Wavern (Norma) Rozenboom of Peoria, Dennis (Teresa) Rozenboom of Harvey, Deb (Fred) Van Ee of Pella, and Merlin (Terri) Rozenboom of Centennial, CO; five siblings and their spouses: Marvin and Jean Rozenboom of New Sharon, Ron and Zelda Rozenboom of Rose Hill, Ed and Mary Rozenboom of Oskaloosa, Arlene and Bill Wilder of Pleasant Hill, Irvin and Kathy Rozenboom of Altoona; a brother-in-law Donald Dahm of North Palm Beach, FL; two sisters-in-law Beverly Hoyt of St. Joseph, MO, and Arlene Dahm of Pella; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two stillborn brothers, two sisters Eunice and her husband Donald Vos and Shirley Blom, and a sister-in-law Marilyn (Ron) Rozenboom; his parents-in-law Leonard and Gertrude (Bandstra) Dahm, and a sister-in-law Marie (Donald) Dahm.
