Sheryl Bouwman

Funeral Live Stream Link

Rock Rapids, IA

Sheryl Ann Bouwman, age 65 of Rock Rapids, IA died suddenly on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at her home in Rock Rapids, IA.

Visitation will be Monday, March 23rd from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 24th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Pastor Steve Van Wyhe officiating; the meal will be served immediately after service. Burial will follow meal at Hillside Cemetery at Lester, IA.

Sheryl Ann Bouwman was born October 4, 1960, in Canton, SD, the daughter of John and Donna (Moser) Gerber. She was raised on the family farm near Lester and started kindergarten at Alvord Elementary and graduated from West Lyon High School in 1979.

She was united in marriage to Thomas Bouwman Jr. on July 19, 1980, at Inspirational Hills. Together they moved to the Bouwman family farm east of Lester where they were blessed with five children, Amy, Jennifer, Thomas John, Matthew, and Lucas. Briefly after marriage, she worked at Peoples Bank, had an in-home daycare and worked at Kids Club in Rock Rapids. Most recently she worked at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN, for the last 2o years. In 2013 Sheryl and Tom moved to their current home in Rock Rapids.

She was a member of the First Reformed Church, active in choir, making prayer shawls, cookie club, and children’s ministries. She enjoyed gardening, raising chickens and preparing meals for large family gatherings, especially Sunday dinner. She also enjoyed boating, fishing, taking pictures, and trips with Tom in the truck. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend with a servant’s heart.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Tom Bouwman Jr. of Rock Rapids, IA; five children, Amy (Nick) Hildring of Larchwood, IA, and their children, Evan and Owen; Jennifer (Matt) Kock of Rock Rapids, IA, and their children, Lincoln, Jonathan, Shannon and Lauryn; Thomas John (Brittany) Bouwman of San Antonio, TX, and their children, Celeste, Thomas Gabriel and Emilia; Matthew (Danielle) Bouwman of Larchwood, IA, and their children, Aria, Wren and Reece; Lucas (Tara) Bouwman of Rock Rapids, IA, and their children, Declan and Liesel. Three brothers, Jeff (Shelley) Gerber of Queen Creek, AZ, Greg (Wanda) Gerber of Rock Valley, IA, David (Sherryl) Gerber of Yuma, AZ; one sister, Cindi (Brian) Blankespoor of Rock Valley, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family she loved so much.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Donna Gerber; parents-in-law, Tom and Gertie Bouwman.