Elmer Wesley De Kam

Elmer Wesley De Kam was born on May 9, 1939 to John Peter and Margaret (nee Schelhaas). Elmer was number six of seven children and raised on the family farm north of Edgerton. He attended Edgerton Christian Elementary School thru the eighth grade and then helped his parents on the family farm. He joined the National Guard which he served for 6 years and it was at this time he met his sweetheart, Hennie Bouw. On March 10, 1961 they were united in marriage in Leota, MN and lived on various farms until they moved to the family farm in 1969. There they were blessed with two children, while Elmer did the thing that gave him great joy, tilling and planting the soil and caring for the livestock. They did this until they retired from farming in 2008 at which time they moved into Edgerton, Minnesota.  When Hennie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he faithfully and lovingly cared for her until the Lord called him home on March 30, 2024.

Elmer was a lifetime member of First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton where he was baptized and professed his faith and served on the church council. He also served on local co-op boards. A man of deep convictions, rooted in God’s promises and he faithfully lived that out with a gentle demeanor. 

He took great joy in attending the grandkids’ and in later years, great-grandkids’ (who loving called him Mr. Super G) sports, musicals, and other events. He could always be counted on to have a healthy stash of tootsies in his pocket to share with them and other children.  

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 63 years and their two children and their families: 

Wesley & Sheila De Kam of Edgerton, MN
Heather & Rodney Bleyenberg, Logan, Tyson, Carter, Parker of Edgerton, MN
Ashley & Nathan Stoel, Sawyer and Raelyn of Edgerton, MN
Courtney & Grant Vis, Carson and Cooper of Edgerton, MN  

Glenda & Jonathan Grossmann of Orange City, IA
Mathew & Allie Grossmann of San Antonio, TX
Ava & Ben Bouwkamp of Des Moines, IA
Nicholas Grossmann of Grand Rapids, MI
Ian Grossmann at home

Brother Arnold & Faye De Kam, sister Marlys & John Bouw, and many nephews and nieces. 

Preceding Elmer in death are his parents, John and Margaret, father and mother-in-law, Edward & Gertrude Bouw; brothers, John and Harold, sisters, Nelvina De Kam and Laura Van Essen and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

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