Martha E. Bruxvoort

Martha Bruxvoort, 95, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Martha E. Bruxvoort, the daughter and third child of Gerrit and Marie (Franje) Roozeboom, was born October 11, 1928, near Tracy, Iowa. For her schooling, she attended Tracy Public School. She and her family were members of the Tracy Christian Reformed Church. Martha helped her parents with the many responsibilities and chores around the home and farm. In 1945, the family moved to a farm they purchased west of Oskaloosa. Martha soon started employment at the Mahaska Hospital, where she made many friends. She and her parents became members of the First Christian Reformed Church of Oskaloosa; there, she made her Professional of Faith. In 1949, Martha married Brant Bruxvoort of Oskaloosa; they made their home on a farm west of Oskaloosa, where they began farming. Born to Martha and Brant were five children. The firstborn was a daughter, Bonita, who died in infancy. Soon, their children, Ervin, Barbara, Carolyn, and Byron, completed their family. Martha was a busy mother but still enjoyed her membership in her church’s Queen Esther Circle, the Bible Searchers, and the local Christian School’s Willing Workers. Martha and Brant often took their family to the Lake of the Ozarks for vacations. They also traveled to all four corners of the United States and the Bahamas. They enjoyed three trips to the Netherlands, visiting Martha’s family cousins. In 1979, they moved to Oskaloosa, where she was employed in sales and management at the Jaarsma Bakery for 29 years. During these years, she again made many friends. Her kindness to her family was exceptional. Brant claimed her to be the sweetest of women. She loved cooking great meals for family dinners and also giving money gifts to her children on all occasions. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Brant; two sons, Ervin (Deborah) Bruxvoort and Byron (Debra) Bruxvoort, all of Oskaloosa; two daughters, Barbara (Dave) DeJong, also of Oskaloosa; and Carolyn (Steven) Lenes of Charlotte, NC; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Jeanne (Everit) Roozeboom; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Gerrit and Marie, Martha was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, John and Cora Bruxvoort; an infant daughter, Bonita; a great-granddaughter, Macy Bruxvoort; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry and Mary Ann and Johanna Roozeboom and Everit Roozeboom; and a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Marion VandeKeift. Funeral services for Martha will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverends Jon Spronk and Erik Kamp officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday at the First Christian Reformed Church; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Oskaloosa Christian School or the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House. Langkamp Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with Martha’s arrangements.

Martha E. Bruxvoort

October 11, 1928 - December 1, 2023