Boehm, Donald William 1927-2012

BOEHM, MONK

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/12/2012 at 21:31:42

Donald William Boehm, 85, of Merrill passed away Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, with the Rev. Bert Burwell officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic service, at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com. Donald Boehm was born on Jan. 7, 1927, in Kingsley, Iowa, the son of Adolf and Molly Boehm. After high school, Donald served in the U.S. Army and is a Korean War veteran. He was stationed in both Germany and Austria as a communications officer until his honorable discharge.

Donald married Harriett Marie Monk in 1956 and the couple made their home in Merrill. He worked for the ICG Railroad as a section foreman and track inspector for 46 years before retirement. Donald was very active with the Abu Bekr Shrine, where he was involved with the Wrecking Crew, Shrine Campers, and Knights Templar. He was a member of the American Legion, Master Masons, York Rites, and a past Patron of the Eastern Star. Donald was a 50-year licensed amateur ham radio operator and was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association Inc., active in the Siouxland Amateur Radio Club, and the Le Mars Community Radio Club, including as a weather spotter. He also was a member of the Merrill Senior Center.

Donald loved the outside and enjoyed camping, fishing, and gardening. He used his talents as a mechanic to build and fix things around the house. He also built model trains and enjoyed woodworking. Donald loved animals, and would occasionally bring home an injured animal to nurse back to health. His greatest love of all was his family and he enjoyed each minute he spent with his grandchildren.

Donald is survived by his wife, Harriett Boehm of Merrill; children, Cindy (Mike) Lloyd of Westfield, Iowa, Lori Merrill of Merrill, Lisa (Bob Harris) Boehm of Le Mars, Beth (Jerry) Young of Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Brenda (Jeff) De Lance of Le Mars; grandchildren, Amanda Lloyd, Christina Lloyd, John Holton III, Jennifer Holton, Gina (Matt) Lewis, Billie Jean Young, Cheyanne Young, Jessica Young, and Tyler Boehm; great-grandchildren, Brady Lewis and Elizabeth Lloyd; brother, Robert Boehm; sister, Delores (Richard) Myers, all of Warren, Ill.; and a sister-in-law, Janice Boehm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn grandson; and three brothers, Werner, Marvin, and Arnold.