Claude Bulthuis

Claude Bulthuis, age 93, of Willmar, formerly of the Roseland area, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning, May 28, at his home in Willmar. Services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 2, at Roseland Reformed Church in Roseland, Minnesota. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 2-4 PM, Sunday, June 1, at Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg and at the church one hour prior to the service. Claude Bulthuis was born March 3, 1921, in Roseland Township, the son of Elko and Johanna (Ritsema) Bulthuis. He grew up in the Roseland area and attended District 91 school, graduating from the 8th grade. Claude worked on the farm with his father and as a farm hand for many relatives, but especially his uncle, John Bulthuis. They farmed with horses and also used the horses to go to school by wagon or sled. He was drafted into the service and chose to join the Navy in April 1945, so he could always have a bed. He served as a Shipfitter Third Class and was honorably discharged in August 1946. Claude returned home after the service and married Annie S. Ahrenholz on December, 19, 1947, whom he met before entering the service. They made their home on a farm two miles north of Roseland. He farmed with his brother Henry for many years. They retired from farming in 1981 and moved into Roseland. He continued to farm with his son Glenn and did carpentry work, helping build many garages and building the cabin at the lake. He was a life active member of Roseland Reformed Church, was on the building committee in 1956, officer for the Men's Brotherhood, was a Sunday School teacher and an Elder on the church board. He did devotions before every meal and read the Bible out loud to his family before evening prayers. Claude moved to Willmar and has lived at the Bethesda Sunrise Assisted Living for the past three years. He enjoyed the social events, tending the flower gardens and the other activities at Bethesda. He loved reading his Bible, being with his family, doing word finds, watching multiple TV church services, sports and Wheel of Fortune. Claude also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, going to the cabin, fishing, and trips to Florida. He leaves a wonderful legacy that will live on through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, because of the choices and priorities he made. Claude's real character and integrity was shown when he took complete care of his wife in their last year together as she suffered from ALS. He is survived by a daughter, Linda (and Larry) Maurice of Bloomington and a son, Glenn (and Terri) Bulthuis of Raymond. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Ann (and Cullen) Byre, Kirstin (and Jeremy) Nelson, Sarah Weingartz (and fiance Brian Moline), and Eric (and Cari) Bulthuis; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Bernard (and Gert) Bulthuis of New London; two sisters: Jennie Mae Wubben of Clara City and Emily (and George) Poppen of Clara City; a brother-in-law, William Ryks, Sr. of Willmar; and four sisters-in-law, Leona Bulthuis of Willmar, Jeanette (and Bill) Dugstad of Willmar, Elma Jane (and Mally) Smith of Minneapolis and Jo Bouma of Edgerton. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Annie in 2007; two brothers, John and Henry Bulthuis; and a sister in infancy.

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