Katherine 'Kay' J. Boot

Kay Boot, 84, of Oskaloosa passed away Thursday morning, May 21, 2015, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center in Oskaloosa. Katherine Julia Boot, daughter of Peter and Alice (Boersma) Link, was born, June 14, 1930, in Paterson, New Jersey. Kay, as she was called from an early age, was baptized and made her profession of faith at the Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church. She was a 1948 graduate of the Eastern Christian Academy in New Jersey. Kay worked as a secretary following her education. Gracious Dutch hospitality brought Kay and her future husband together at Sunday dinners at her parent’s home. Arie J. Boot was stationed at the time in New Jersey and was known to the family through Kay’s church’s Young People Society gatherings. Following Kay and Arie’s marriage, May 21, 1953, they resided in Prospect Park, NJ and Kay co-owned and operated the Haledon Millinery Shop. The family belonged to the Christian Camper’s Club and every summer they enjoyed many week-ends camping and holding Sunday services at the campgrounds. Kay was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and led the singing and sang at the services. In 1971, the family moved to Oskaloosa. They joined the Bethel Christian Reformed Church where Kay was active in the Ladies Societies and was again able to share her love of singing. Kay became an “Avon Lady” after the move to Iowa and enjoyed meeting her clients and entertaining them at Christmas at her home with a smorgasbord of “goodies”. Kay later became the curator at the Nelson Pioneer Farm, a position she enjoyed for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting and showered her family with many of her creations. Her greatest source of joy was seeing her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay’s family includes her children and their spouses: Cheryl Roose of Pella, Glenn and Laura Boot of Texas, and Ronald and Linda Boot of Florida; four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren: Craig and Sarah Roose and their children, Ciera and Cody; Calvin Roose and Fiancé, Stephanie Pierson; Michelle and Rich Morris and their children, Casey and Samantha; Jason and Brooke Boot and their daughter, Aubrey; Chris and Jess Sapp; Shawn Sapp; Greg McClean and his fiancé, Victoria; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Millie Link of New Jersey; a sister, Evelyn Houseword of North Carolina; brothers-in-law, Henry Rozema and James and Elaine Boot of Florida. In addition to her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Arie, August 22, 2000, a brother-in-law, Herbert Houseward and a sister-in-law, Celia Rozema. Funeral services for Kay will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Douglas Van Der Pol officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 in the fellowship hall of the church preceding the service. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Monday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 2-4 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to the Nelson Pioneer Farm or the Pella Christian Grade School. PDF Printable Version

Katherine 'Kay' J. Boot

May 21, 2015 - May 21, 2015