Gilbert Bouwer

Bouwer, Gilbert N131 Kamkes Street Darboy Age 69, died Sunday morning, January 5, 2003, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 25, 1933 to the late John and Johanna Goerding Bouwer, in Holland Michigan and had been an Appleton resident since 1958. Gilbert served with the U. S. Air Force from 1951-1971 and served in Korea, Japan, North Africa and with the Lawrence University, Air Force ROTC. He was honorably discharged as a Personnel Sergeant Major at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan. From 1971- 1981 Gilbert was the Youth Program Director with the YMCA and was State Director of the Wisconsin YMCA Youth in Government Program. In 1981 he founded Bouwer Printing and Mailing, Inc. which grew from two to twenty-one employees, retiring in 1996 as President and CEO. In 1997, Gilbert, founded the Bouwer Family Foundation, where he was Executive Director and Trustee, a non-profit charitable organization devoted to financial support of a rehabilitation center for land mine victims in Cambodia. He also volunteered time at the rehab center in Cambodia each year in February and March. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Toshiko Oyamatsu Bouwer, to whom he had been married for 43 years; four children and their spouses, Marc and Bonnie Bouwer, Stevens Point; Joel and Theresa Bouwer, Menasha; Kathryn and William Peotter, Appleton; Lisa and Daren Hansen, Appleton; eight grandchildren, Rachael Bouwer, Steven Bouwer, Jason Bouwer, Brent Peotter, Dylan Peotter, Blake Peotter, Camille Peotter, and Benjamin Hansen; nieces and nephews, Larry Bouwer, Randy Bouwer, Brian Bouwer, Kim Johnson, Kathy Wolters, Dawn Harbison and Bonnie Lambert. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Bouwer. Funeral services for Gilbert will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 912 North Oneida Street, with Reverend Nathan Gauerke officiating. Burial will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 pm, Tuesday and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Bouwer Family Foundation, for relief of land mine victims in Cambodia, % 510 North Oneida Street, Appleton, WI 54911. WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME 537 North Superior Street Appleton 739-1231 www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com