Funeral services for Bethel Bouchard, 85, will be 10:30am Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson, with interment in the Jefferson Cemetery. Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson after 10:30am Monday, where the family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00pm, with an 8:00pm Vigil for the Deceased.
Survivors include her sons: Ronald and wife Feryl of Altoona, IA; Dennis and wife LaRae of Jefferson, IA seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister Theresa Darlene Rankel of Chatsworth, CA; and brothers: Carroll Perkins and wife Karen of Jefferson, IA; Edwin Perkins and wife Virginia of Kansas City, MO; and Jerry Perkins and wife Carol Ann of Riverside, CA; a cousin Earl Lynch and wife Phyllis of Jefferson, IA; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Bethel Leone Bouchard, the daughter of Elver and Anna (Lynch) Perkins, was born December 13, 1924 on the farmstead south of Jefferson, Iowa. Bethel passed away August 13, 2010 at The Gardens in Jefferson, Iowa. She was 85 years of age.
Bethel attended Jackson #7 Township School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1941. After graduation, Bethel attended AIB College in Des Moines, IA.
On February 7, 1945, Bethel was united in marriage to Gilmore Bouchard of Grand Junction, Iowa. They were the parents of two sons, Ronald and Dennis. The family lived and farmed southeast of Paton. When Gilmore’s health began to fail, Bethel moved to Jefferson in 1987 to be closer to her husband as he required nursing home care.
Bethel was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson. She enjoyed camping, bowling and playing bridge. She and Gilmore spent their winters in Texas. She loved spending time with her family, cheering their sports activities and especially enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren play.
Bethel was preceded in death by her husband Gilmore; her parents; and a brother, Richard Dean Perkins. She is survived by her sons: Ronald and wife Feryl of Altoona, IA; Dennis and wife LaRae of Jefferson, IA; Grandchildren: Victoria Tracey and husband John of Des Moines, IA; Valerie Sarenpa and husband Reid of Ankeny, IA; Stephen Bouchard and wife Stacey of Altoona, IA; Denise Duffy and husband Kelly of Des Moines, IA; Staff Sgt. Larry Bouchard of Aurora, CO; Denae Meek and husband Kirk of Bonaparte, IA; Loren Bouchard of Ames, IA; Great-Grandchildren: Amanda, Dillon and Samuel Tracey; Shia and Ava Sarenpa; Hayden, Torie, Stevie and Eddie Bouchard; Ryan Duffy; Mikhayla, Isaiah and Jackson Meek. Also surviving are a sister, Theresa Darlene Rankel of Chatsworth, CA; brothers: Carroll Perkins and wife Karen of Jefferson, IA; Edwin Perkins and wife Virginia of Kansas City, MO; and Jerry Perkins and wife Carol Ann of Riverside, CA; a cousin Earl Lynch and wife Phyllis of Jefferson, IA; and a host of nieces and nephews.
