Douglas Boekhout

Little Rock, IA

Douglas Boekhout, age 77 of Little Rock, IA, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, at his Home in Little Rock.

A memorial service will take place at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 28, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa, with Pastor Steve Anderson officiating.

A visitation will be held one hour before the service in the church on Saturday.

Inurnment will follow in the Pleasantview Cemetery of Little Rock, IA.

Arrangements are in the care of the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, IA.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Douglas Craig Boekhout. A beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who passed away at the age of 77. He lived a life marked by laughter, kindness, and hard work. He was known for his quick wit, warm smile, and the way he could make anyone feel like an old friend within minutes of meeting them.

Doug was born on January 27, 1949, to George and Angie (Wierstma) Boekhout in Slayton, MN. He attended Little Rock Community School and graduated in 1967. He joined the United States Army on February 12, 1969, and proudly served his country. He was a dedicated veteran who continued his service through his involvement with the American Legion. In 2022, he celebrated being a continuous member of the American Legion for 50 years. He carried a deep sense of pride in his service and valued the camaraderie and friendships it brought into his life.

After being honorably discharged from the army to become a student, Doug first attended Worthington Community College in Worthington, Minnesota, for two years, then attended Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. He received his bachelor’s degree in business. He then started working for Kmart Corporation in August,1974. He dedicated over 30 years of his life to working at Kmart as a manager, where he was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and friendly personality. His career with Kmart also led him to several communities over the years. He lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Oelwein, Iowa, and Waterloo, Iowa.

Above all else, Doug was a devoted father to his two children, Caley Vaughan and Bryce Boekhout, and a very proud grandfather to his three grandchildren, Ellie Mae Boekhout, Nash Douglas Vaughan, and Myles Randall Vaughan, who were truly the light of his life. Although they didn’t live close, he cherished every moment they spent together and delighted in receiving messages and pictures that let him share in their daily lives. Their laughter, milestones, and little joys brought him immense happiness, and he treasured being a part of their world in every way he could.

Doug had a quick wit and a great sense of humor, always ready with a joke or a funny story that could make anyone laugh. Though he could be forgetful at times, he never forgot a good story from decades ago and loved retelling memories from 50 years past with perfect timing. Everyone who met him agreed he was quite the character, and people genuinely enjoyed talking with him and being around his cheerful, playful spirit.

Doug is survived by his two children, Caley (Tyler) Vaughan of Guthrie Center, IA, and Bryce (Ryann) Boekhout of Remsen, IA; his three grandchildren, Ellie Boekhout, Nash, and Myles Vaughan; his siblings George (Ann) Boekhout, Wally Boekhout, Cora Trei, and sister-in-law Aryls; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sietse and Cornelius Boekhout, and Walter and Angeline Wiertzema; his parents, George and Angie Boekhout; his brother, Pete Boekhout; his brother-in-law, Alan Trei; his sister-in-law, Jean Boekhout; and many aunts and uncles.