Bouwers, Cornelis - born: 4 Aug 1925; Spouse: Breimer - Family Size: 1; Religion: Christian Reformed; Origin: Beilen, Drenthe -- Arrival year: 1950 [http://www.calvin.edu/hh/family_history_resources/Immigration%20Committee%20Report.pdf]
Pella — Kornelis Bouwers was born on August 4, 1925, at Beilen, Drenthe, the Netherlands. He was the second of nine children that were born to Johannes and Jantje Flokstra Bouwers. Born in the midst of the Great Depression to a large farming family of two sisters and six brothers, life was dramatically altered in his childhood by the Nazi Occupation of Holland. He was brought up in a Christian home and his faith became profoundly personal during 11 days of German incarceration and later the release by a miracle of grace. Cor served four years in the Royal Dutch Army (1946 – 1950) of which three years were spent in Indonesia with the Signal Corps. Directly following his military service he was married to Janjte Breimer on June 21, 1950. They (along with his parents, 5 brothers & 2 sisters) immigrated to Canada landing in Halifax July 20, 1950 and settled in Athens, Ontario. In the face of the challenges of new language, culture, and vocation they began their family of eight children: J.L. Hans, Henriette, John T., Jane, Monica, Paul, Ben and Irene. Working numerous jobs included the foundry, farming and later farm machinery sales. The dawning of a new decade presented family health challenges that led to their immigration to the United States of America where they resettled to the dryer climate of Colorado in 1965. Following a successful sales career, opportunities to return to his love of farming led to a move to south central Colorado and in the summer of 1976 to Salem, Missouri. Following a seven year battle with cancer, Jantje (Jannie) passed to glory on August 24, 1980. A new chapter began on June 7, 1981, when Cor married Donna Berghuis Tinklenberg in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The family grew by three more children: Lisa, Lori and Karla. They began their journey in Salem, Missouri. Drawn by the Dutch culture and a beautiful community they moved to Pella, Iowa where they ran a Montgomery Ward and Sears catalog store. ‘Semi retirement’, Cor decided to take up selling real estate. During this time Cor and Donna shared numerous years of adventure traveling the USA, Canada and the Netherlands. A student of life and with an unquenched zeal to discover – he was a lifelong learner who remained engaged in the adventure of living. Cor lived with a focused passion for life and a love for the Lord. He was very transparent in his faith and always prayed for his 11 children, 42 grandchildren and 42 great- grandchildren. His family meant the world to him. Through the years he volunteered and led in a number of capacities and roles (elder, teacher, care team, pastoral team) in his local church, Calvary Christian Reformed, the Gideon’s International and for a number of years as a correspondent to prisoners in Crossroads Prison Ministry.
He finished strong!
On Wednesday afternoon, May 11, 2011, at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella, Iowa he passed into glory and was a vibrant witness to his family.
His children include: J. L. Hans (and Shirley) Bouwers of Barrie Ontario, CA, Henriette (and Peter) Bachle of Rolla, MO, John T. (and Penni) Bouwers of Pella, IA, Lisa (and Con) Brower of Prescott Valley, AZ, Jane (and Rod) Tolsma of Alamosa, CO, Monica (and Kevin) Parker of Pella, IA, Lori (and Chris) Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Paul (and Melody) Bouwers of Pella, IA, Ben (and Denise) Bouwers of Ft. Wayne, IN, Irene (and Jim) Gardner of Adel, IA, and (Karla) (Daren & Steph) Van Kooten of Leighton, IA.
His sisters included: Rika Breimer of Brampton, Ontario and Hanna Bakker of Ottawa, Ontario
His brothers included: Fred (and Carol) Bouwers of Chilliwack, B.C., Henk (and Gail) Bouwers of Athens, Ontario, Albert (and Gertie) Bouwers of Athens, Ontario, Arthur (and Cobie) Bouwers of Beaver Falls, PA, and John (and Ann) Bouwers of Metcalfe, Ontario.
Cor was preceded in death by his wife, Jantje (Breimer) Bouwers; daughter, Karla Van Kooten and her two children, Katie and Benjamin; grandson, Dylan Bouwers; granddaughter, Christine Tolsma; his parents, Johannes and Jantje Bouwers; and brother, Lukas Bouwers.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk – Duven Funeral Home.
