Ralph Bouma

Ralph Bouma, 92, of Stevensville Montana was peacefully ushered into the presence of his Savior on Thursday October 5, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Ralph was born in Corsica, South Dakota on January 25, 1931, the 6th son of Louie and Nina (Kaptein) Bouma.

In his early years he moved with the family north of Choteau to the Farmington community where he attended school.

On May 24, 1951 he married the love of his life, Cornelia den Dunnen and together they raised 4 sons and 4 daughters.

March 21, 1952, he was drafted into the United States Army serving his country here and abroad in Germany. He was honorably discharged on February 20, 1954.

Upon returning from Germany, he began his ranching career on a cattle ranch near Agawam and later moved to a dry land farm 22 miles east of Conrad.

He was very instrumental in starting Gospel Mission and Gospel Mission Press in Choteau and later owned Triangle Press in Conrad. He was the pastor of Gospel Chapel for several years.

His confidence came from his deep faith, and he loved to talk about what God had done. His wife was always his queen. He loved his family unconditionally and prayed for each of them constantly. He always felt the weight of the future for his family. Whenever anyone of his entire family would tell him they loved him he would always respond, "I loved you first" followed by "You're one of my kids you know!

He is survived by his wife Cornelia (his queen) of over 72 years, children Louie (Juliette) Bouma of Stevensville, Jim (Barb) Bouma of Choteau, Janet (Peter) Van Hierden of Dallas, TX, Neal (Patty) Bouma of Whitefish, Trish (Wes) Kirk of Livingston, Connie (Duane) Gevock of Florence, Bonnie (Michael) Mitchell of Houston, AK, and Dale (Mary) Bouma of Choteau, 34 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, brother Harold (Johanna) Bouma of Choteau, sisters Jennie (John) Luteyn of Chilliwack, BC and Frances (Larry) Teunissen of Sheboygan, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Nina Bouma, brothers Peter, Herman, Henry, Andrew, and John, sisters Ann Greyn and Henrietta Van De Lagamat, a son who was still born, grandchildren Bret Bouma and Elizabeth Grace Mitchell, great grandchildren Nevaeh Scott, McKynna Scott, Michael Van Hierden and Hadassah Gevock.

Frontier Funeral Home of Choteau is handling the arrangements. Viewing is at Frontier Funeral Home Monday, October 9, from 6-8 pm, grave side service is Tuesday October 10 at 1:00 pm in the Choteau cemetery followed by the funeral service at Old Paths Strict Baptist Church Tuesday at 2:00 pm and a reception at the Stage Stop.