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Photo of James A. Boelman

James A. Boelman

10/4/1950 - 10/24/2019


Obituary


James A. Boelman, 69, of Belmond, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond.

Funeral services for Jim Boelman will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3rd Avenue Northeast in Belmond, with Pastor Dave DeKuiper officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Gateway Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church.

James (Jim) Allan, son of Joyce and Esther (Pals) Boelman, was born on October 4, 1950 in Belmond. Jim grew up in Belmond and graduated from Belmond High School in 1968. Jim was an athletic trainer/manager for the Belmond High School football, wrestling and track teams for all 4 years of high school. Before this season’s 1st Bronco football game, Jim was invited to the pregame meal with the team and his devotion to Belmond athletics was honored. Jim enjoyed watching and being involved with sports his entire life.

On January 1, 1969, Jim was united in marriage to Barbara Pals at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond.  Jim and Barb owned a Cargill feed store in Prairie City for a short period of time. For over 20 years, Jim worked as a banker at several locations, including Ames, Belmond, Alden, and Manson.

After leaving banking, Jim and Barb owned a property management business. Jim also kept books for a couple in Manson. Jim was fascinated with numbers and loved anything financial. In fact, he would spend hours reconciling a checkbook just to find a penny.

In December 2000, Jim moved into the care center in Pomeroy and then in 2007 Jim and Barb moved back to Belmond.  He enjoyed reconnecting with classmates and old friends.

Jim’s passion, besides his family, was raising and showing horses, particularly appaloosa and quarter horses. He enjoyed showing horses in the Quarter Horse Futurity, where he took top honors.

Jim loved being around people, whether it was a family gathering or activity at the care center. He always showed his unconditional love. He always had a joke or two to share, even if he couldn’t get the punch line out because he was already laughing.

Left to honor his memory are his “Three Girls”: wife Barb and two daughters Angela (Clint) Johnson and Andrea (Matt) Insko; the apple of Grandpa’s eye grandson Ben Insko; brother Arlynn (Sharon) Boelman; nephew Bryce Boelman; and numerous other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by infant brother Reece Joyce Boelman; parents Joyce and Esther Boelman; and parents-in-law Alvin and Eleanor Pals.

Per Jim’s wish, his body was donated to Mayo Clinic in hopes that he can help advance the research in Multiple Sclerosis.

Jim’s family would like to thank all the staff members of the Pomeroy and Belmond care centers that treated Jim as a member of their family over the years. We always knew he was in good hands and being treated like he was a part of your family.