Obituary of Rev. James W. Boersma

Rev. James W. Boersma, age 85, of Deansboro, NY passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born September 7, 1938, in Holmen, Wisconsin, he was the oldest son of the late Willard and Margaret (LaFleur) Boersma.  On June 3, 1960, he married the love of his life, Nancy Panciera.  Together they raised their family and served the Lord faithfully in both full-time and lay ministry roles over the next 63 years. Upon graduating from Omaha Baptist Bible College, Jim served as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Spearfish, SD, Broadalbin Baptist Church, Broadalbin, NY and Grace Baptist Church of Clinton NY.  While living in his current hometown he served for many years as the Youth Director at Bible Baptist Church of New Hartford, NY.  After leaving full-time ministry, he served on missions trips to Haiti, France, and Trinidad & Tobago. He also enjoyed many opportunities to serve as Interim Pastor or provide preaching coverage for his many Pastor friends. He was a mentor and friend to many young people, missionaries and pastors, pointing them all toward Jesus and encouraging them to pursue holiness in their own lives. 

Jim was a skilled and trusted contractor and an avid gardener - he could build or fix just about anything and was seemingly capable of growing an annual bumper crop of vegetables that he loved to share with friends and family and neighbors. He welcomed opportunities to engage his community, serving two terms on the Marshall Town Board and frequently offering prayers at public events. Although he always had a full calendar, in his free time he enjoyed quiet times fishing with family, and louder times of debating politics and theology with most anyone - but one of his greatest joys was spending time with his large and loving family. Family gatherings typically found him entertaining the youngest children with rousing laughter as he led them in playing Drop the Hanky. In his younger years, he was often the central figure of backyard softball games for the neighborhood, followed up by serving massive bowls of Schwan’s ice cream to all.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; ten children and their spouses, Debra Gilbert, Lynnette and Brian Wyman, Cheryl and Don Braun, Joy Boersma, Doug and Elaine Boersma, Tim and Angelica Boersma, Leah and James Conley, Amy Magnus, Brian and Kelly Boersma, and Lisa and Subsen Ortiz; his twenty-two cherished grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, David and Karen Boersma; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Gary Butler; and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, two grandsons, Deputy Kurt Wyman and Timothy John Putney, III; two brothers, Ralph and Russell Boersma; sister Margaret; and a son-in-law, Gene Gilbert.

All are invited to call Tuesday, May 21st from 2-4 and 6-8 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College St., Clinton, NY.   A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Crosspoint Church, Oriskany Boulevard, Whitesboro, NY. (Calling time 10-10:45). Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Kirkland Prospect Hill Cemetery, Skyline Drive, Kirkland, NY.