Gladys Boomsma

Gladys Jean Boomsma, age 94, passed away March 5, 2026.

She is survived by her seven children: James (Nancy) Boomsma of Wichita, KS; Gary (Doreen) Boomsma of Wolsey, SD; Janet (Mark) Lovre of Sioux Falls, SD; Kenneth (Carol) Boomsma of Coffee Camp, Australia; Jean (Don) Rose of Sioux Falls, SD; Joan (Randy) Brooks of Omaha, NE; and Matt (Jodi) Boomsma of Oak Island, NC. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and one sister, Grace Sperle.

Gladys was born on October 2, 1931, in Broadland, South Dakota, to Elmer and Lillian Legrand. She married James Boomsma on December 25, 1952, and they spent many years together raising their family.

Gladys lived her entire life in Beadle County, primarily in Wolsey, where she was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. It was a remarkable sight when all nine members of the Boomsma family filled a pew on Sunday mornings.

In the early 1990s, Gladys moved to Huron, where she embraced an active lifestyle that included playing bridge and pinochle, spending time with her siblings, and visiting her children across the country and abroad. These travels took her to places like Kansas, North Carolina, and even Australia. Known for her sharp wit and competitive spirit, Gladys was always a formidable opponent at the card table.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and three sisters (one in infancy).

Services to honor Gladys’ life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wolsey on Saturday, April 4 at 10:30 AM, with burial and lunch to follow.

Memorials may be directed to the Broadland Cemetery in her memory.

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