Karen V. Boersma, age 76, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor's and missionary's wife, and resident of Naperville, IL, died Monday, August 29, 2016. She was born May 8, 1940 in Topeka, KS.

Karen met her husband Ralph at Faith Baptist Bible College and went on to serve as a devoted pastor's and missionary's wife in Ladysmith WI and then started four churches as missionaries in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Karen was an avid gardener and loved helping plants of all types to grow. Every spring, summer and fall, she could frequently be found in the garden, and often was up late into the night canning the delicious results of her labor. She and Ralph also worked to plant and prune all types of trees, and there were always trees planted at all the church properties, adding physical beauty to their spiritual calling. Karen also enjoyed traveling and seeing all of God's creation, often visiting her children all across the Unites States, walking nature trails, and driving through the mountains when possible.

Right up until her husband's final days in October 2015, she provided loving care and showed her love to her husband of 55 years, Ralph Boersma. Her devotion to serving Christ as a faithful wife and mother will be felt forever through those surviving: children Vern (Patti) Boersma, Mark (Rosanna) Boersma, Kerry Boersma, Daniel (Apryl) Boersma, Kenneth (Emily) Boersma, Kimberly (David) Bina: grandchildren, Jillynn (Kurt) Fisher, Josh (Mollie) Boersma, Nate (Hannah) Boersma, Caleb, GingerAnne (Joshua) Collins, Jonathan, Melissa, Katrina, Angela, Benjamin, Timothy, AJ, Brianna, Olivia, Stephen, Luke, Peter, Paul, Katie, Beka, Tory: great-grandchildren Brecken, Henley, Beau, Daniel, Trevor, Maverick.

She was preceded in death by husband Ralph Boersma, parents Verle and Eunice Nincehelser, her daughter Kristy and her sister Delpha.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 5, 2016 from 10 A.M. until the start of the funeral service to be held at 11 A.M. at Emmanuel Baptist Church , 3S465 Briggs Street, Naperville, IL 60563. Interment will follow services at Warrenville Cemetery in Warrenville, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Emmanuel Baptist Church , 3S465 Briggs St Naperville, IL 60563-9686.