Staff Reports

Eastvale – It was recently announced that Councilmember Ike Bootsma passed away at 74-years-old on the early morning of May 14th.

“Our entire Eastvale community mourns the loss of Councilmember Ike Bootsma.”, said Mayor Jocelyn Yow. “Ike was a remarkable and dedicated public servant who will be greatly missed.”

Ike has been a part of the Eastvale community for more than 46 years. Several community members expressed their condolences and prayers to the family on all social media platforms. So many described Ike as honest and kind, who cared deeply about his family and about the Eastvale community. From holding Halloween events to dressing up as Santa during Christmas, Ike loved making the local kids smile.

A banner was placed at Eastvale City Hall in memory of Councilmember Ike Bootsma with the words: “Leader. Legacy. Loved. Ike Bootsma 1947-2021.” In addition, at the monthly Just Move Campaign, the leaders paid tribute to Ike and described how he served the city for many years. City manager, Bryan Jones, also coined the phrase “Be Like Ike” in his speech, according to Matthew Olson’s Facebook post. “It brought tears to my eyes,” said Olson. “We can learn a lot from this gentleman and the service he gave to our community,” added Olson.  

In addition, the City Council will be remembering Ike at their next Meeting on Wednesday, May 26. They encouraged the community to say a few words about Ike via in person or online.

Ike was one of the youngest children of nine, to Dutch immigrant parents Trynje and Jim Bootsma. The Bootsma family started their dairy in 1938 and were one of the first to settle in Chino Valley. Ike started a successful Calf Ranch in Eastvale in 1974 until its closing in May 2007. “The Calf Ranch was an important component of the dairy industry, where they raised calves for Dairy replacement,” according to a City news release. “Ike started what became known as “contract” raising. It was a very good enterprise and worked well for the Dairy industry and for his family.”

Ike then served on the City Eastvale City Council from 2010 through 2016, along with four terms as Mayor from 2013 to 2016. “While on the City Council, Ike represented the City on several regional boards, including Western Riverside Council of Governments and the Riverside Transit Agency,” stated the City. Ike and his wife, Squeaker, were also very active with the Eastvale Kiwanis Club and have helped raised money each year to provide Eleanor Roosevelt High School students with college scholarships. They were active in the Eastvale Roadway Adoption Program and have kept city streets free of litter by participating in monthly street clean up events.   In addition, Ike was an active member of the local Eastvale Chamber of Commerce. Ike was then re-elected to the Eastvale City Council in November of 2020, representing District 5.

Ike Bootsma is survived by his wife, Squeaker, and his children Shaun Bootsma, Heidi Tillman, Mike Kirk, Metchelle Bootsma, and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial service information is not yet announced to the community.