Memorial services for Percy DeBoer will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church. The Revs. Clayton Balsley and Bart DeBoer will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Percy DeBoer passed into Glory very peacefully this past Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at Thorne Crest Retirement Community, where he had been a resident for the past six months. Percy was born Dec. 14, 1926, in Platte, S.D. to Dutch immigrants Benjamin and Janna DeBoer.

Percy, as his Dutch name suggests, was a farmer. Born a farmer’s son, he was raised on farms in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. He had farming in his blood and loved the land and his crops. He was blessed to meet a lovely young farm girl, Elva Mae Dykema from Worthington. After a short courtship they were married on Aug. 14, 1946, and moved to Hollandale, to take over farm property given by Percy’s parents. That piece of land and farm buildings became Percy and Elva’s life and home to their growing family that eventually included four children. He and Elva worked hard to expand their farming operation. However, building the farming operation was always a means to an end as Percy dedicated himself to serving his Lord and family. He faithfully led the family in Bible-centered devotions, made church attendance a family commitment and served for many years in church leadership positions. He set a vibrant example for his children of faithful Christian living and giving.

Percy was an enthusiastic traveler, taking his family on many outings and trips — building memories along the way. Later in life he and Elva began traveling regularly every winter to Arizona, where they enjoyed many friendships and a lovely home. Percy was an avid pickle-ball player, and together with his wife Elva enjoyed square dancing with friends. He also loved socializing over a cup of coffee and making friends wherever he went.

Percy was preceded in death by his beloved Elva in November of 2011. He is survived by son David (Barbara) of Santa Maria, Calif.; daughters Carol Cerney (Ben) of Albert Lea, and Nancy Kieffer (Jim) of Greenville, Wis.; and son Jerry of Faribault. He was also blessed with five wonderful grandchildren: Kristin (Manuel) Carbone-Lopez, Zach Pommeranz, Carrie Pommeranz, Nathan Pommeranz, and Michael (Adrianna) DeBoer; and four great-grandchildren Xenia and Thiago Lopez, Sam Pommeranz, and Benjamin Venzor. He is also survived by his sister Alice Wolter, Mankato.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mayo Clinic Health System’s hospice program in Albert Lea.