Wesley was born December 20, 1935 to Richard and Ethel Bouwens on their farm near Sterling, NE.
He married Marlene (Andringa) June 21, 1955.
Together with their sons, they founded Bouwens Plumbing Co. Inc in 1971.
Wesley is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marlene, sons Greg and Nancy, Kevin and Michelle, Randy and Shelley and daughter Pamela Hitz-Schell and Clint Schell, 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson, brother Keith and Judy, and sisters Clarice and Jerry Filipi and Evelyn Wasser, sister-in-law Evelyn Huenink and brother-in-laws Dwaine and Phyllis Andringa and Paul and Carol Andringa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Gerrit and Johanna Andringa, son-in-law Jim Hitz and brothers-in-law Clarence Wasser and Harold Huenink.
Family was very important to Wesley and he never tired of watching his grandchildren play and giving them rides on his tractors, golf cart and later on his mobility scooter. Wesley loved buying and selling cars as well as collecting toy cars, trucks and construction equipment, including several pedal cars. He and Marlene also loved to travel in their motorhome to visit family and friends or to just spend a quiet weekend camping. Colorado and Branson were always favorite destinations. Through the years he owned several sports cars and enjoyed weekend cruises and car shows with the Flatwater Austin-Healey Club.
Wesley was a lifetime member of Hope Community Church. He was also a devoted member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association serving as President at both the local and state levels.
Memorials may be made to Hope Community Church, the Downs Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands or PHCC of Nebraska Scholarship Fund.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 10:00 am at Hope Community Church, 4700, South Folsom, Lincoln, NE. lincolnfh.com
