November 29, 1951 – January 18, 2023

Funeral services for Marlyn Bootsma, Woodstock, Minn., were held Saturday, January 21, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at Woodstock Community Church, Woodstock, with Pastor Brian Dengler officiating. Special music was The Prayer and Before You Call Me Home provided by Sarah Bootsma and organist Evelyn Van Nieuwenhuyzen. The congregation sang Amazing Grace, I Can Only Imagine, and Tell Me The Story. Pallbearers were Aiden Bootsma, Chase Bootsma, Zac Bootsma, Greg Bootsma, Shawn Bootsma, Avery Bootsma, Zane Sanborn, and Vaughn Sanborn. Honorary pallbearers were all grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Interment was in Woodstock Cemetery, Woodstock.

Marlyn (Marly) Duane Bootsma was born on November 29, 1951, to Percy and Helen Bootsma in Sanborn, Iowa. He was one of four siblings. 

After high school he worked at SuperValu, Lebanon Feed Store, and Terrace Park Dairy. In 1968, he met the love of his life, Kathy Meyer. They were married on January 3, 1969, in Boyden, Iowa. In 1979, the couple moved to Avoca, where they started farming. In 1980, they moved to Woodstock, where they farmed until Marly’s passing. The couple also owned Mathy Trucking from 2001 to 2012. Their marriage was blessed with five children. 

Marly was a member of the Woodstock Community Church. The church was a big part of Marly’s life, a love he and Kathy passed down to their kids. Marly will be remembered for the great stories he told and his love for his family. Marly enjoyed being part of Iron Horse Motorcycle Club and Wheels of the Past car club. Marly’s hobbies included collecting cars and traveling with his beloved wife. He especially enjoyed watching his family play sports. He was known for saying, “If a problem can be fixed by money, it’s not a problem.” He also enjoyed riding motorcycle and ATVs.

Marly passed away peacefully on January 18, 2023, at the age of 71, at his home in the presence of his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Kathy, sons Chad of Valley Springs, S.D.; Perry (Jolene) of Edgerton; Brett (Shannon) of Edgerton; and Ryan (Trisha) of Woodstock; and daughter Alicia (Ryan) Sanborn of Acworth, Ga.; 23 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; siblings Corwin (Carol) Bootsma of Sanborn, Iowa., Galin Bootsma of Melvin, Iowa.; Arlis (Randy) Bubke of Sioux Center, Iowa; Gerald (Karen) Meyer of George, Iowa; Robert (Michelle) Meyer of Springfield, S.D.; and Eugene Meyer of Sheldon, Iowa. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Edward Meyer, mother-in-law, Marion Meyer, and stepfather, Richard Vanden Berg.