Boonstra, Daniel E.

Daniel E. Boonstra, 62, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, April 20, 2012, in his home. A funeral service celebrating Dan's life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 23, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, with pastors Gayle and Paul Wilcox officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church.

Survivors include his wife, Patti; son, Nathan (Kate) Boonstra of Urbandale; grandsons, Sam and Ben Boonstra; parents, Norman and Velma Boonstra of Orange City; sister, Julie (Jim) Hill of Spencer; nephew, Zach Hill of Colorado, and nieces, Abby (Chris) Rierson of Lansing, Mich., Katy (Andy) Lemmenes of Humboldt and Jenny (Ryan) Smalley of Cedar Rapids.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lillian and Bill Fahey.

Daniel Earl Boonstra was born Oct. 18, 1949, in Orange City, Iowa, the son of Norman and Velma (Van Driel) Boonstra. After high school he attended and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City. He began his career as a teacher and later worked as an insurance agent for AEGON for many years until he retired five years ago.

Dan enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, films and music, and was an avid reader. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandsons. He was forever optimistic in the face of diabetes and the complications of that disease. Dan had a zest and joy for life that was apparent to all who knew him.

He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in his name to Iowa Donor Network, 550 Madison Ave., North Liberty, IA 52317.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under “obituaries.”

Published April 21, 2012 in The Gazette