Peter Wesley De Kam, age 90, of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Leota, died Saturday, November 9, 2024, at his home. Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, officiated by Pastor Cole Pleggenkuhle and Pastor Dan Kuik.

Pallbearers were Austin De Kam, Aaron Bierlink, Kyle Fey, Joshua Fey, Orey Fey, Eric Hulstein, Tyler Hulstein, Devin Hulstein, Daniel Buys, and Dylan Buys. Honorary pallbearers were Rachel De Kam, Rebecca De Kam, Angela Partridge, Bethany Hilt, Chelsea Tinklenberg, and Danielle Bliss. Burial with full military honors was in the Leota Community Cemetery.

Peter was born to Andrew and Elizabeth (Vander Lugt) De Kam on December 21, 1933, in Moulton Township, Murray County, Minn. He became the oldest of 12 children. Pete attended Sanborn, Iowa, elementary school, then 2 years in Edgerton Christian High School and completed his high school degree at Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa, while supporting himself as a bus driver for the school.

Peter and Esther Bolt were married on January 29, 1953. He went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force at Poro Point in the Philippines until 1957. Pete and Esther then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where Pete attended Calvin College and obtained a degree enabling him to teach history, geography and Bible. His first job was at Fremont Christian Junior High School. Pete and Esther had 5 children during these years. In 1969 the family moved from Michigan to Leota, Minnesota where Pete served as teacher and principal at Leota Christian School until retirement around 1995. During retirement and always each summer he enjoyed the physical work of painting homes and barns. His pale blue painting van and the help of different helpers during those years enriched his life. He enjoyed gardening, riding bike, woodworking, the Leota Café, and always, learning. A supportive and encouraging grandfather, he enjoyed many music and sporting events as the grandchildren grew. Esther died in 2012.

Pete married Helene Kuik on May 5, 2018. The couple lived in Sioux Falls, SD. He became a member of the First Christian Reformed Church there and enjoyed seeing former students and fellow retired teachers and administrators. The two of them volunteered briefly at The Good Earth State Park and enjoyed the city library, reading, collecting coins and taking out of towners to “the falls.” He enjoyed getting to know Helene’s family and neighbors.

Pete is survived by his wife Helene, from Sioux Falls; five children: Ron De Kam (Vadeen Lee), Dassel, Minn; Evonne (Henry) Bierlink, Lynden, Wash.; Jan (Randy) Fey, Edgerton; Sharon (Tom) Giese, Leota; and Deb (Don) Buys, Chandler; fifteen grandchildren; a granddaughter-in-law, Jill De Kam; thirty two great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Helene’s four adult children include David (Sharon) Kuik, Leota; Debra Altena, Le Mars, Iowa; Daniel (Christi) Kuik, Princeton, Texas; and Dennis (Desiree) Kuik, Santa Rosa, Calif.; many step-grandchildren and stepgreat- grandchildren; brothers Willis (Kathy) De Kam, Grand Rapids; and Ivan (Ebun) De Kam, Africa; four sisters, Marilyn Bush, Grand Rapids; Glenda (Charlie) Brouwer, Willis, Virginia; Judy De Boer, Grand Rapids; and Shirley (Gord) Sterk, Des Moines, Iowa.; sisters-in-law Elaine Bolt,

Arlowynn Bolt, and Lorraine De Kam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Esther; grandson, Ron Jr. in 2006; two brothers,

Al De Kam and Andy De Kam; and three sisters, Jane Boehm, Johanna Mae Burgenmeyer, and

Nancy De Kam; and in-laws Rev. Henry Boehm, Patrick Bush, Robert DeBoer, Gloria De Kam,

Marv and Alma Rozeboom, Rolland and Anna Bolt, John Bolt, and Harold Bolt.