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BOSCH, GERALD FAMILY

Gerald Bosch was born November 19, 1922 on a farm at Sanborn, Ia. In 1938 he moved to Sioux Center with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch. He completed his senior year of High School in Sioux Center and graduated with the class of 1939. He then began clerking at Peter's Grocery Store and did so until 1943 when he was inducted into the Army. He served with the 8th Armored Tank Division for three years, from 1943-1946, during World War II, serving half of that time in the European Theatre of War, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1946, when he returned home, he began working at Boeyink's Store and also drove school bus. However he always had a dream of owning and operating his own business, but wasn't sure if he should take the risk. He was interested in Men's and Boy's clothing.

On August 12,1947, Gerald married Artella Mouw in the First Reformed Church in Orange City. She was teaching 2nd grade in the Orange City Public School at that time, receiving a salary of $1,950 a year. Artella graduated from the Orange City Christian School, Northwestern Classical Academy and Northwestern Junior College. After their marriage, they lived in Sioux Center, where she was Kindergarten teacher for three years, 1947-1950. Gerald bought their first home at public auction in 1948, located at 606 3rd Ave. N. E., without his seeing it, however she thought he had made a good choice. They spent eleven years in this home and both of their daughters were born while living there. Marvin Wierda, the owner of this home had just completed it the previous year and it sold for $8,600 at the auction.

The Gerald Bosch family - 1961.

In January 1950, while teaching, Artella became one of the early victims of the polio epidemic and was hospitalized in the polio isolation ward in the St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City. For the next three years, she spent much time in and out of various hospitals. She was never able to return to her teaching duties in the Kindergarten classroom.

In August 1960, Gerald decided to begin a Men and Boys clothing store, known as Bosch's Clothing. The store started on a small scale at first, but continued to grow and prosper. He owned and operated Bosch's for twenty-five years, and then because of serious health problems was compelled to sell his business. Gerald became ill with cancer (multiple myeloma) in 1975, and doctored at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He died suddenly at Blue Earth, Minn., en route to the hospital in Rochester, on Nov. 5, 1976 at 53 years of age.

Gerald was very active in church and community affairs and interested in the growth and progress of Sioux Center. His community involvement included, Pres., Chamber of Commerce, Retail Trade Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Founding Board of The New Homestead, Low Rent Housing Commission, Land Development Commission, Treas. of the Sioux Center Community School Board for 15 years, American Legion and singingwith the Legion quartet for 30 years, member of the executive Board of Northwestern College, and received an outstanding performance award from the National Foundation for The March of Dimes. He was actively involved in the First Reformed Church, where he served as an Elder and directed the Adult Choir for 24 years. The church and serving his Lord ware very important to him and this was evident in his life.

They have two daughters, Debra, who graduated from Augustana College with a B.S. degree in Nursing. She married Lauren Kaemingk, who graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in Animal Science. He is part owner in FGL Commodities, which is a Brokerage firm in Sioux Center. They live here in town with their two daughters, Jessica and Jaclyn. Their first born son, Jason, died at five weeks of age.

Their second daughter, Denise, received an A.A. degree in business from Northwestern College. She is a dental assistant to Dr. Estes in Sioux Center. She is married to John E. Vander Stelt. He graduated from Northwestern College with a B.A. in Art and is a graphic artist at K-Products in Orange City. They live in Maurice with their daughter Becky.

In 1959 Gerald and Artella built their family home at 303 2nd Ave. S.E., where the children grew up. She sold their home a few years after Gerald's death and is now living in a condo in the south part of Sioux Center.

by Mrs. Gerald Bosch

Source: Sioux Center Iowa 1991 Centennial Book-- Contributor, Mary Haverhals