Rena Boersma

HERKIMER – Rena Boersma, age 94, of German Street, Herkimer formerly of Richfield Springs passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at Valley Health Services in Herkimer.

Rena was born on October 5, 1930 in Nijesyl, Netherlands a daughter to the late Ane and Richjse (Ruth) Rusticus Bootsma. She was raised and educated in Nijesyl. In 1948 she immigrated to the United States. On August 24, 1951 she married Theodore Boersma in the Sussex Presbyterian Church in Sussex, New Jersey a blessed union of fifty-nine years until his passing in 2011.  Rena and her husband owned and operated the Meadowlark Dairy Farm in Glenwood, New Jersey and in 1981 they moved to Richfield Springs, New York.

Rena loved to work in her garden having a true passion for flowers and many times could be seen outside enjoying the sunshine.  She also loved volunteering her time at church teaching Sunday school as her children were growing up and later donating her time with projects like the Rummage sale at church. She also loved to knit and crochet and would donate items she made to others. Her favorite thing was bird watching. She knew most of the bird's names and taught her children the names of birds as she passed down that passion to them. Her greatest joy was to spend time with her family and to help others.  She will be truly missed.

Surviving her are two sons Andrew Boersma of Havre de Grace, Maryland, John Boersma and his wife Jan of Glenwood, New Jersey, a daughter Ruth Stewart of Mohawk New York, one granddaughter Lauren Boersma of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, five surviving brothers; Thomas Bootsma of Oregon, Jake Bootsma of West Virginia, Richard Bootsma of Sussex, New Jersey, Harry Bootsma of Sussex, New Jersey and Gene Bootsma of Sussex, New Jersey, two sisters; Tena Stout of Belvedere, New Jersey  and Susan Engelsman of California, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers.

A funeral service for Mrs. Boersma will be held on Thursday November 21st at 11:00am in the Mohawk Reformed Church with the Reverend Brian Engel to officiate. The family will be present in the church from 10:00am until the time of the service to receive relatives and friends.

Committal will be Friday November 22nd at 11:30 am at Clove Cemetery Located in Sussex, New Jersey.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory with donations to the Parkinsons Foundation or the Mohawk Reformed Church. Envelopes will be available at the church

Funeral arrangements are J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs.