Ryker A. Boender
Ryker A. Boender
Ryker A. Boender
March 22, 2016 – October 8, 2017
Oskaloosa, Iowa | 18 months, 16 days
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Ryker Boender, 18 months, of Oskaloosa, was called home to be with Jesus. Ryker Alan Boender, son of Matthew and Megan (Anderson) Boender, was welcomed to this world by his parents and his big brother Austin on March 22, 2016, at Pella, Iowa.
Ryker was a determined little boy that would stop short of nothing to achieve what he wanted, be that watching the movie Moana “one more time”, or climbing into a tough spot. In his determination, he would first ask Mommy and Daddy for whatever he wanted, typically it was to go outside and play or go for a ride in anything with a motor, he would continue to ask different family members until he would get the “correct” answer. This questioning would usually not need to go any further than a grandma or a grandpa. He and his brother Austin had an immediate brotherly bond. Austin was quick to teach Ryker that all their toy trucks and equipment had their own special “vroom, vroom” noise, and Ryker would use them appropriately.
In his short time, he had very special individual relationships with everyone in his family. He was all boy and didn’t want to miss any opportunities to tag along with Daddy or Papa for any outdoor adventure they had planned for the day. He would rarely miss an opportunity to climb on Mommy or Grandma’s lap and reach for a handful of hair, as he started to drift off to sleep. He found great joy in being out in God’s creation and playing with the animals.
His family includes his parents, Matthew and Megan Boender of Oskaloosa; his brother, Austin Boender of Oskaloosa; paternal grandparents, Bill and Julie Boender of New Sharon; maternal grandparents, Larry and Shirley Anderson of Longview, Texas; paternal great grandparents: Marvin and Carol Rus of Leighton, and Harry and Elizabeth Boender of Oskaloosa; paternal great great grandma, Erma Steenhoek of Pella; aunts and uncles: Michelle Stokes, Amber (& William) Watkins, April (& Frank) Young, Hannah (& Tony) Schering, Isaiah (& Emily) Boender, Aaron Boender, Andrew Boender, Mariah Boender, and Michael Boender; and a loving extended family of cousins, great uncles and aunts, and friends.
Ryker was preceded in death by his aunt, Marla Anderson; maternal great grandparents: William and Nita Gleaton, and Earl and Wilma Anderson; a cousin, Jordyn Schering; a great uncle Dan Boender; and a great great grandfather, Gilford Steenhoek.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 13, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. in the Third Reformed Church in Pella with Reverend Kevin Korver officiating.
Burial will be in the University Park Cemetery in University Park. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Thursday after 12 noon in the Third Reformed Church in Pella and the family will be at the church from 4-7 Thursday afternoon to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Many Hands for Haiti or Oskaloosa Christian School.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ryker A. Boender please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
