James "Jim" Bouman
James A. “Jim” Bouman, age 52, of Philip, died Thursday, October 31, 2013, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
James Allen Bouman was born May 19, 1961, to George and Marjorie (Wang) Bouman at his Grandma McKee’s home in White River. He was the youngest and cheapest child, only costing $100, of six children. Jim was a perfectly sweet little brother according to his sisters but don’t ask his brothers. They might tell you stories about hammers, tacks, flyswatters, tube socks with sand, and brooms. He grew up in White River attending White River schools. His favorite teacher was Mr. Risseeuw and his St. Bernard dogs. He graduated in 1980 from White River High School.
He attended Mitchell Vo-Tech and earned an architecture degree in carpentry. After Vo-Tech, Jim worked for Rich Hildebrand traveling all over Minnesota and South Dakota doing concrete work.
Jim married Traci Iwan and was blessed to be the father of three children from his marriage. His kids were his pride and joy. He told numerous stories of his kids: Kelly’s red firetruck, Steph’s broken green crayon stuck in her nose, and Cody’s deer gutting experience.
Jim had the privilege of going to Custer to fight the Jasper Fire with Rich Foley and Cody Riggins. It was during that week he met Kim. He came back up to Custer with a couple of her “bro’s” to celebrate the Jasper Fire being put out, and then spent a wonderful night of dancing at the Philip Fireman’s ball before he asked her out on a date. He spent 4 ½ days in Philip and 4 ½ days in Custer according to his friend Marty for a year before asking her (and Karch) to become part of his family. Kim and Jim were united in marriage on June 25, 2005 in Philip.
For 22 years, Jim worked at Scotchman Industries as an ironworker. In 2010, Jim became employed at Midwest Cooperative in Philip as a fabrication engineer. Jim was part of the Philip Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Jim could always be found helping his friends and family building shops, garages, pole barns, moving houses, bleachers, etc.
In the last four years, Jim had enjoyed his newest title of being Grandpa. He had six wonderful grandchildren. He was the perfect grandpa spoiling them with cookies, fruit snacks, teaching them dead deer looks, and spending time being the jungle “Jim”.
His hobbies involved hunting, fishing, taxidermy work on pheasants, fish, and deer, and tinkering with anything that had a motor (or engine). He had a love of all animals, especially his dogs, raccoons, chipmunk, and fox. His favorite mounts were for his four children which all happened to be their second deer. He loved surprising his kids with the mounts for Christmas.
Jim was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle. He could make you laugh and was there to help no matter what. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Survivors include his wife Kim Bouman of Philip; three sons Kelly Bouman and his wife MJ of Rapid City, Cody Bouman and his wife Eva of Bismarck, North Dakota, and Karch Foley of Philip; one daughter Stephanie Hendrickson and her husband Spencer of Sandpoint, Idaho; six grandchildren Doodle, Gracie, James, and Michael Bouman, and Addison and Ryder Bouman; two sisters Bonnie Madsen and her husband Bruce of Kadoka, and Connie Hill and her husband Arnie of White River; three brothers Bob Bouman of White River, Ronnie Bouman and his wife Donna of White River, and Bill Bouman and his wife Sheryl of Kadoka; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jackie Bouman, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 3, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 4, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Father Kevin Achbach and Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
Arrangements were with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
His online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome.com