Roy Folkerts

INWOOD, IOWA ~ Robert “Roy” Folkerts peacefully entered into the arms of his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Fellowship Village in Inwood at the age of 89.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Inwood Christian Reformed Church in Inwood, Iowa, with Rev. David Smit officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Richland Cemetery at Inwood. Visitation with the family will be on Monday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Porter Funeral Home in Inwood is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com. The funeral service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/InwoodCRC. Roy’s family prefers memorials be directed to the Inwood Christian School or Fellowship Village in Inwood.

Robert “Roy” Folkerts was born July 16, 1936, to Pierre and Trina (Boersma) Folkerts in Hudson, South Dakota. His first year was spent in the home and loving care of his Uncle Henry and Aunt Sadie Ter Wee. Roy attended country school, Inwood Christian School, and graduated from Inwood High School where he met the love of his life, Lois Bobeldyk. Soon after graduation, Roy enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. Upon his return, Lois asked Roy, “So are we going to get married now or what?” The two were united in marriage on September 3, 1958, at the First Reformed Church of Inwood. Before settling in Inwood, they lived in Prosser, Washington and Rock Valley, Iowa.

Roy began farming with his father and brother where he developed a lifelong love for stewarding God’s creation and caring for livestock. In 1969 Roy and Lois built their homestead, where they lived and farmed for 30 years. They were blessed with two children, Todd and Lisa. Roy sold Pioneer seed for 26 years, enjoying the relationships he built with customers during that time. He was passionate about soil conservation and no-till farming. Even after Roy and Lois moved to their home in Inwood in 1999, Roy continued to farm with his son and grandson until his passing.

Roy and Lois went on many memorable vacations with family and friends. Roy enjoyed collecting and restoring 8N and NAA Ford tractors. He was an active member of the Inwood Kiwanis Club for many years. Roy was a wonderful storyteller who always captivated his audience of grandchildren and, more recently, great-grandchildren, with tales of childhood adventures and family pets. Always a jokester, Roy never failed to find a way to make people smile. His kind and curious nature drew in friends and strangers alike and he never hesitated to ask someone to share their story.

Roy’s joyfulness came from knowing the Lord as his Savior. The life he lived was a reflection of the wholeness he found in Christ. He was passionate about sharing the hope of salvation. Roy was a lifelong member of the Inwood Christian Reformed Church, serving in various roles shaping the lives of church members both young and old. His unwavering love for the Lord set a foundation of faith for his family and for generations to come.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted and loving wife of 67 years, Lois; son, Todd (Dawn) Folkerts of Inwood, Iowa; daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Diekevers of Sanborn, Iowa. He will be missed dearly by his 8 grandchildren, Karl (Cindy) Diekevers, Jessica (Joshua) Van Grouw, Kyle Diekevers, Kali (Eric) Loewen, Lindsey Folkerts, Kari (Jason) Vlastuin, Brandon (Katie) Folkerts and Jordan (Summer) Folkerts; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Bess (Norm) Bolkema of Arizona; brother-in-law, Jim Faber of Inwood and brother-in-law, Gene (Wanda) Bobeldyk of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pierre and Trina; brothers, Henry and Cornie Folkerts; and sisters, Nellie Van Tol, Alice Faber, Sadie Faber and Jean Kowalski.

“Keep on smiling!” - Roy Folkerts