Elma Boersma, 96, of Humboldt, passed away January 10, 2016 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. J.K. Raether officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge. Visitation is from 12-1 p.m. Saturday, January 23rd at the church. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Boersma is survived by her children, Janet Grabbe of Sun City, AZ, Lois Cibert of Humboldt, Ronald (Jeanne) Boersma of Fort Dodge and Karol (Randy) Mabe of Sun City, AZ; grandchildren, Todd (Cheryl Lammie) Carpenter, Bret (Karen) Peterson, Bart (Robyn) Peterson, Rachel Stockdale, Andrea (Chris) Harrison, Nick (Heather) Mabe and Jake (April) Mabe; great grandchildren, Kayla (Ross) Newton, Katie (Andrew) Staton, Tanya Peterson, Kendra (Jake) McCullough, Haley and Holly Stockdale, Holden, Grant and Chloe Harrison, Carter and Madeline Mabe, and Ryan, Allison and Hannah Mabe; great-great grandchildren, Braelyn Newton, Jefferson and Harper Staton; and her sister, Margaret Phillips of Belton, MO and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Nora Sorenson, her husband Jake “Catfish Jake” Boersma, her sister, Doris M. Cody, her brother, L.M. “Bud” Sorenson, brother-in-laws Howard Cody and Jerry Phillips and sister-in-law Shirley Sorenson.
Elma Sorenson, the daughter of Elmer and Nora (Hoffmeister) Sorenson, was born March 11, 1919 in Story County, Iowa. She was raised and educated in the Mackey area. On June 1, 1941, she was united in marriage to Jake Boersma. While Jake served in WWII Elma lived with her mother. Following his return, the couple farmed in Boone County. Mr. Boersma then went to work for the railroad, which took the family to Fort Dodge. Elma worked in the kitchen of Mercy and later Trinity Hospitals and retired from the latter after 17 years. Mr. Boersma passed away in 1990 and she moved to Hampton, then to Humboldt in 1998. Elma made her home at Humboldt Homes and was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Boersma had a green thumb and especially enjoyed growing flowers, many which bloomed all year. Her and her husband enjoyed making, selling, and sharing peanut brittle and black walnuts with their family and friends and was well known for her cookies. She had a special and unique relationship with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom all had a special name for her. She will be greatly missed by her loving family.