John Arthur DenBoer

John Arthur DenBoer, 71, of Palmdale, California passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 24, 2025. He had been battling esophageal cancer for just over a year. True to the DenBoer name, he was tough and fought until the very end. John's family meant the world to him and they were there by his side to help and support him through it all.

A life of hard work and adventure, John lived fully with a "work hard, play hard" attitude. He had an indomitable spirit and an air of independence and strength. To know John DenBoer was to know a legendary man. He had a warming smile, was glad to be a help to all, and fiercely loved his family and friends.

John was born in Conrad, Montana on June 3, 1953 to Barbara and George DenBoer, the first of six children. He was raised on a ranch nine miles west of Dupuyer on the Rocky Mountain front. From the start, John was his dad's helper. He often joked that he thought his middle name was 'Come-on' because his dad would always say "John, come-on."

John attended Dupuyer Grade School and Valier High School, graduating in 1971. After graduation when the haying was done he moved to Bozeman to work as a carpenter. John married Barbara Willumsen in 1974, they had one daughter, Sandi Sue in 1978. His life was farming, ranching and working construction in Montana and North Dakota, he was nonstop, waterskiing, riding his dirt bike, snow skiing, hunting and fishing.

John moved to California in 1986, started John DenBoer Construction and worked for many years as a general contractor building custom homes and other projects. In 1992, he built his home in the high desert on property bordering the Angeles Forest in a serene setting off the grid.

In 1996, he started working with DenBoer Engineering and Construction, and later with RSH Construction as a traveling superintendent building public works projects all over the state of California. John was loyal and dedicated to his craft. He had a passion to produce high quality work all while mentoring those that had the privilege to work alongside him. He retired in January 2024.

John met Chris Hoffman in 2002 and they were married March of 2025. They shared a love for the outdoors, often camping and fishing on Crowley Lake.

John was the greatest dad and grandpa ever, no matter if he was on a backhoe or in the middle of an important meeting, he would always answer a call, a bond like no other. Time with his granddaughters brought him great joy and always brought them an unforgettable experience.

John was always up for excursions with his brothers, off-road jeeping on back country trails and the Rubicon, a deep sea fishing trip or fly fishing in Bishop. He loved a steel horse, riding countless miles on his motorcycles on mountain roads and cross country from California to Montana and Sturgis, SD. John was a great story teller, could build or fix anything, and was skilled at wood working and leather craft. Horseback riding was a passion throughout his life, riding bareback at a young age, he loved training horses, roping and trail rides.

'And this is where the cowboy rides away'

John is survived by his wife Chris of Palmdale, CA; his daughter, Sandi (Kenny) Amato of Brentwood, TN and her mother Barbara (Ronnie) Wright of Roberts, MT; step-daughter, Brandi Hoffman of Dublin, TX; granddaughters, Jazlyn, Jiselle, and Joli Amato; and Shaelynn Hoffman; siblings, Roxanna (John) Bunker of Kearney, NE; Bonnie (Norman) Kolden of Yuma, AZ; Linda Nygaard of Wolf Point, MT; Doug DenBoer (Shannon Audley) of Palm Springs, CA; and Ron DenBoer of Valencia, CA; nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Barbara Den Boer; brother in law Steve Nygaard; grandparents Albert and Dema Den Boer; and George and Iona Wood;

To help us honor John's last ride, please plant a tree or gift a child a fishing pole in lieu of flowers.

Visitation will be Friday, June 13, from 5-7pm at Asper/Pondera Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 14, at 10:00 am at Norley Hall, 400 No Virginia St, Conrad. A reception at Norley Hall will follow the burial.