In Loving Memory of

John Gerald Bothof Jr.

John Bothof was born on February 5, 1921 on the family farm south of Chandler, Minnesota to John G. and Hattie VanSurksum Bothof.  He grew up on the family farm and attended country school.  On December 18, 1941 he and Johanna Ruiter were married at the Ruiter family home.  Following their marriage they farmed near Chandler and in 1954 they purchased an interest in the Southwest Sale Barn in Worthington, MN.  In 1959 they moved to Slayton and purchased the Slayton Sale Barn and operated it until 1978. John continued doing farm and estates sales until 1986 when he retired.  Johanna passed away on November 21, 2010.  John then moved to Westside Apartments in Slayton until 2014 when he became a resident of the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda.  John passed away there on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the age of 96.  He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Slayton where he served as elder and deacon.  John volunteered at Meals on Wheels and also at the Murray County Food Shelf.  John enjoyed fishing and helping John Groen during harvest.  John found his greatest joy watching and following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren sporting activities.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Harlene and Richard Meyer of Bella Vista, AR, Delwin and Marie Bothof of Hilo, HI, John E. and Debra Bothof of Omaha, NE, and Kenneth and Carrie Bothof of Butler, KY; two son-in-laws, John Groen and his wife, Marcella, of Chandler, MN, and Malcolm Nord of Marietta, GA; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; five great-great–grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Edith Bothof and Angie Ruiter both of Minneapolis, MN.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Johanna, two daughters, Joanne Groen and Eloyce Nord, two grandsons, Christopher R. Bothof and John H. Groen Jr., six siblings, and their spouses, Peter and Cora Bothof, Gerritt and Johanna Bothof, Henry and Trace Bothof, Cornie Bothof, Johanna and John VandeBrake, and William and Antoinette Bothof.

Funeral Services

First Reformed Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Aaron Punt officiating.  The organist is Viola Hoekman with special music by his grandchildren Jolene Groen, Jason Groen and Julie Groen-Sherman.  The pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mike Meyer, Suzy Bothof-Stout, Leslee Bothof, Matthew Nord, Nathaniel Nord, Kendra Reese, Cassandra Groen, and Chantel Groen.  Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.

Visitation will be on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.