Esther Harriet (Bolt) De Kam, born February 8, 1934,  passed from this life on earth on March 16. 2012.   She was one of seven children born to John and Henrietta (De Groot) Bolt of Leota, MN..  Esther grew up on the farm and graduated from Leota Christian School.    In 1952 she made a public commitment to follow Jesus, and married Pete De Kam, also of Leota, on January 29, 1953.

The first  years of Esther's married life led her to Mississippi, where her first child, Ronald Lee, was born.    Later, while living in Warner Robins, GA, her second child was born:  Evonne Jean.    After their years in the military were over,  she and her husband moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan.   During those years,   daughter Janice Beth was born.    Later she moved to Fremont, Michigan where daughters Sharon Lynn and Debra Joy were born.    In 1969, Esther moved back to Leota, MN where she lived until her move to Edgebrook Care Center on June 1, 2009.

During all of her adult years, Esther was a superb homemaker.    She was a good listener and an excellent guide for her children as they matured.   Esther also liked to work outdoors on the lawn and in the garden.    She enjoyed music very much and did lots of piano playing and singing with her family and friends.  She was an excellent seamstress too and made many clothes for her children when they were infants/toddlers.   As an adult, Esther also worked in Leota Christian School for ten years as a cook, and in Edgebrook for many years as both a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and as an Activities Leader.    Esther was a member of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and being a part of the Golden Hour (a Bible study group) Society.

Esther is survived by  five children:  Ron (Deb) De Kam, Evonne (Henry) Bierlink, Jan (Randy) Fey,  Sharon (Ivan) Hulstein, and Deb (Don) Buys.   The family also enjoys sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.    Four siblings also survive her:   Alma (Marv) Rozeboom,  Harold (Elaine) Bolt, Carolyn (Harry) Van Dam, and John (Arlowynne) Bolt.          She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Evelyn Bolt, a brother Rolland Bolt, and grandson Ronald De Kam Jr.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 PM Monday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota; and from 9:30 to 10:15 AM Tueaday at the church. Funeral will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at the Ebenezer Chriation Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.

Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, and the Leota Burial Association are in charge of arrangements.

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