Boersma, Wendell 'Dell'

Wendell ”Dell” Boersma, 88, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Memorial Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ken Royar and the Rev. Heecheon Jeon officiating. The family will greet friends Friday, May 24, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, from 4 to 7 p.m. Dell deeded his body to the University of Iowa Anatomical Program.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, The Salvation Army or the Crisis Center.

Dell was born Oct. 31, 1924, in Holland, Mich., the son of Henry and Grace (Mulder) Boersma. He was a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Mich., where he met Elaine. On Feb. 3, 1945, he married Elaine Mensinger in Hollywood, Fla. Dell served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-45. He received his M.A. degree from Western Michigan University and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dell was a professor in the College of Education at the University of Iowa for 23 years, retiring in 1990. Before that he had been principal at Lakeshore High School in Michigan and had been employed by the Bureau of School Services at the University of Michigan. In 1967, they moved to Iowa City. Dell had also served as the Iowa State director for the North Central Association.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Noon Lions Club and was a volunteer at the Crisis Center Food Bank and recorded books for the Iowa Department for the Blind. Dell sang with the Voices of Experience. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and loved the Detroit Tigers.

Dell was articulate, open minded and had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Elaine; their three children, Nancy (Steve) Weber of Iowa City, Mark (Judy) Boersma of Churchville, Pa., and Brian (Michelle) Boersma of Marshall, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Emily, Matthew, Ivy, Kent, Joshua, Stephanie, Claire and Timothy; one great-grandson, Max Peterson; and three siblings, Vernon (Lois) Boersma of Holland, Mich., Philip (Julie) Boersma of Lake Forest, Ill., and Connie (Bill) Hinga of Pella.

Dell was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Christopher Weber.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published April 26, 2013 in The Gazette