BOEHLJE, Annette Lynn
BOEHLJE, JOHNSON
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/21/2017 at 03:17:16
Obituary ~ Annette Lynn Boehlje
October 23, 1971 ~ November 18, 2017The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, November 22, 2017MASON CITY -- Annette Lynn Boehlje, 46, of Mason City, IA, died Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 25, 2017, at First Covenant Church, Hwy 122 at South Ohio, with Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. Family and friends will gather from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Friday, November 24, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Internment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Sheffield, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Annette Boehlje memorial fund in care of the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
Annette was born October 23, 1971, in Mason City. The daughter of Raymond F. and Darlene F. (Johnson) Boehlje, she grew up on a farm in rural Rockwell and graduated from Rockwell-Swaledale High School in 1990. She continued her education at Marycrest University in Davenport, IA, Pace University School of Law in White Plains, NY and Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Over the years, Annette worked as an attorney in Story City, IA, she was Public Defender for Story, Boone and Cerro Gordo Counties, and Associate District Judge in Cerro Gordo County.
Annette was appointed to the bench in November of 2012. She graduated magna cum laude from Marycrest College in 1994. In 1997 she earned her law degree from Pace University Law School, graduating cum laude. Judge Boehlje was in private practice from 1998 to 2000. She practiced with the public defender's office from 2000 to 2012. Judge Boehlje is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, member of the Young Lawyers Division, and served on the Elderly Committee from 1997 to 2010. She is also a member of the Cerro Gordo County Bar Association.
Annette enjoyed a variety of interests including reading, NASCAR, music, cheering for Iowa State Football and Basketball, cruising and traveling — especially to Disney World. She also loved animals. Annette put her faith in Christ at a young age and was a member of First Covenant Church where she served in many capacities.
She became a foster parent in 2010 which lead to her adopting two daughters.
Annette was active in the local adoption community, a member of Una Vocis Chorus, Story City Community Theater, book clubs, the Iowa State Bar Association and the Ames Library Board.
Annette is survived by her 2 children: Lea and Emma Boehlje of Mason City; her parents: Ray and Darlene Boehlje of Mason City; her brother: Daniel Boehlje and his wife Cory of North Bend, WA; a nephew and niece: Mark and Bryn Boehlje of North Bend, WA; She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Albert & Florence Johnson and Ernest & Erna Boehlje.
Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401, 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
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Judge, minister dies
North Iowa judge remembered for versatile life, passion for children
In the pulpit or in court, Boehlje was 'the same person'
By John Skipper, Globe Gazette, North Iowa neighbors we've lost in 2017
Saturday, November 25, 2017, Page 1MASON CITY -- Associate Judge Annette Boehlje is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a woman of many interests and talents and who had a passion for the well-being of children.
Boehlje, 46, died Saturday, Nov. 18, at Good Shepherd Health Center.
She held degrees in law and in ministry and was active in both fields. The Rev. Steve Johnson, who will officiate at her funeral Saturday at First Covenant Church, said Boehlje was a faithful, loyal, intelligent servant.
"Many people have two degrees, but Annette is the only person I have known that carried both a law degree and a ministry degree," he said. "And she was the perfect person to do that.
"Her strong and clear mind coupled with her faithful and generous heart embodied a Christianity that allowed her to be the same person in the law office or in the pulpit."
Several judges reflected on her life and work.
District Judge Gregg Rosenbladt said Boehlje was always striving to be better.
"She always enjoyed a good conversation about legal issues or other topics of interest," he said. "She was also very strong, composed and hopeful after being confronted with a very serious medical diagnosis."
District Judge James Drew said, "Annette was an excellent judge by any measure. She was firm but fair. The juvenile case work was particularly important to her and her desire to go above and beyond to protect the children was obvious.
"Equally impressive to me is the dignity and grace she demonstrated after her diagnosis. She worked as long as she was able and I never heard her complain about her lot."
District Judge Chris Foy said,"I think Annette became a lawyer so she could help people who were down on their luck and she wanted to be a judge for the same reason."
Attorney Richard Tompkins said Boehlje was a dedicated mother, lawyer and judge. He said she could be direct in dealing with parents in danger of losing their children because of the parents' drug use. But she was extremely supportive of parents trying to overcome their drug problems.
Attorney David Grooters agreed.
"We were all heartbroken when we learned of her diagnosis," he said. "We will miss her bright face and contagious smile."
Jeremiah and Amanda Reb had a special relationship with Boehlje.
"As local foster parents, we had the pleasure of working with her on multiple cases where she always showed her love and compassion for the job," said Reb.
"Our family will be eternally grateful for her service as she presided over the adoption of two of our children. May she rest in peace and may her family know that she left a legacy to be proud of."
Boehlje was a member of the Una Vocis Choral Ensemble. Its artistic director, Dennis Lee, said, "She shared her lovely soprano voice for many years and was an active and dedicated member of the Una Vocis family. She was a bright and creative person and we miss her very much."
Judy Delperdang, a member of the ensemble and a Globe Gazette employee, was amazed at Boehlje's wide range of interests and passions, saying, "She packed so many worlds into one life."
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2017
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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