Obituary of Aleide Elizabeth Bos

Aleide Elizabeth Wijk-Bos, 78, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Black Hawk Senior Residence in Fort Atkinson. Aleide was born in Uithuizermeeden, the Netherlands on July 18, 1937, the daughter of Geerdinus and Hilda (Clevering) Wijk. She graduated from the Gemeentelijke Hogere Burgerschool voor Meisjes in Groningen in 1956. Aleide met Harry Bos in 1959 and they wed on January 24, 1962. Saying good-bye to family and friends, they boarded a freighter and immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York Harbor in February of 1962 and eventually settling in Fort Atkinson where Harry had previously worked and made friends. Together they bought a small farm on the west side of town and started Bos Imp. Co. � an Implement and Importing business. Today the business is run by her two sons as Bos Design Builders. In 1974 she proudly obtained her U.S. citizenship. Aleide lovingly took care of her children, her home and her gardens as well as helping with the family business. She was an avid artist and craftsperson and will be fondly remembered for her beautiful Navajo rugs, stained glass work, embroidery, bobbin lace, quilts, refinished antiques and, in recent years, her colorful drawings. She was a long time 4-H leader with the Ideal Clever Clovers 4-H Club and was a member of the Fort Atkinson Women�s Club serving in various functions including president. Aleide had an indefatigable spirit. Quiet, strong, independent; she rarely looked back but, rather, focused on the future, on her family, and on the business she was proud to have helped start. The leap of faith she took in coming to the United States and her unwavering positive outlook in the face of the various health issues that befell her over the past decade will not be forgotten. Aleide will be missed by her children Edwin (Joanna) Bos of Fort Atkinson, Hilda (Gil) Hantzsch of Baraboo and Harman (Jenny) Bos of Fort Atkinson; her grandchildren Cayla, Alyssa and Lana Hantzsch and Harry, Ernest, Seeger, Liam and Julian Bos; her two brothers Piet (Janet) Wijk of Uithuizermeeden, the Netherlands and Rikkert (Anja) Wijk of Kethel, the Netherlands as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Per Aleide�s wishes, a family remembrance will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. Memorials in Aleide�s name may be made to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, 702 Langdon Street, Madison WI 53706 in support the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Leadership Development Endowment Fund. The family wishes to thank all the staff of the Black Hawk Senior Residence for the care and support they provided Aleide over the past eight years. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, WI is assisting the family.