Marie De Boef, 96, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Marie Ellen De Boef was born to Peter and Jennie (Swank) Van Kooten on September 25, 1929, near Sully, Iowa. She attended country schools in the Sully and Rose Hill areas through the eighth grade. Early in life, Marie made her Profession of Faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. As a young woman, she helped neighbors with their families, worked as a nurse’s aide at Mahaska Hospital, and was employed at the Oskaloosa Continental Overall Factory.
On January 21, 1949, Marie was united in marriage to Earl L. De Boef at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Upon marriage, Marie joined Earl in attending the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union, two children were born: Robert and Bonnie. Marie and Earl lived north of Oskaloosa on a rural farm their entire married life. Marie helped Earl daily with the dairy operation and handled the bookkeeping.
Marie loved traveling to the Ozarks and Branson for gospel sings and greatly enjoyed the daily trips she and Earl took together in their later years. A wonderful cook, she was known for her fried chicken, famous apple salad, homemade ice cream, and her ability to create the most beautiful dining experiences for her family. Marie loved and cared deeply for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every visit from Grandma Marie was blessed with an abundance of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Marie enjoyed spending time outdoors doing yard work and tending to her flowers. She loved watching the surrounding wildlife, identifying and feeding the many beautiful birds.
Marie’s memory is honored by her children and grandchildren:
Bonnie De Jong of New Sharon
Matthew and Marinda De Jong of Montezuma
Michael (Katherine), Maguire, and Elizabeth De Jong
Joel and Caprice De Jong of Montezuma
Caymen (Elizabeth) and Cruz De Jong
Robert DeBoef (deceased Sept. 16, 2021) Marlis De Boef of Oskaloosa (daughter-in-law)
Melissa and Kent Schmidt of New Sharon
Jacob and Joshua Schmidt
Robbyn and Douglas De Bruin of Oskaloosa
Anna, Trenton, and Lindsay De Bruin
Ben Klein of Riverview, FL (step-grandson)
Kailee, Kraven, and Killian Klein
Sheila Klein of Oskaloosa (step-granddaughter)
Chase Hougland
Lexi Hougland
Shyann Klein
In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Marie is survived by her siblings: Hermina Stursma of Pella; Darlene (Elmer) Kloosterman of Pella; Elvin Van Kooten of Iowa Falls; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Van Kooten and Marlene Van Kooten, both of Oskaloosa; and many special nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Earl De Boef (2013); her son, Robert De Boef; her son-in-law, Gregory De Jong; her granddaughter, Allison De Boef; three brothers, Cornelius Van Kooten, Henry Van Kooten, and Kenneth Van Kooten; her brother-in-law, William Stursma; and two sisters-in-law, Sherryl Van Kooten and Linda Van Kooten.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Jon Nelson and Pastor Caymen DeJong officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The family will be at the Bates Funeral Chapel Saturday morning from 9:30 until service time to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Mahaska County Conservation Board in memory of Marie De Boef to be used for Russell Wildlife.
