Larry W. Boelman

LARRY WILLIAM BOELMAN was born on February 3, 1942 to William and Jennie (Klosterbuer) Boelman in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm in Kanaranzi Township, near Luverne. Larry grew up attending State Line Presbyterian Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He went to Country School #24 through the eighth grade and then completed high school in Luverne, graduating with the class of 1960. Following his education, he helped his parents on the farm. Larry was drafted into the US Army on February 19, 1964. He was stationed in Germany and served his country on a radar team and as a parachutist. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1965 and returned home to the farm. While playing in a mixed bowling league in town, Larry met the love of his life, Gloria Hansen. The couple was united in marriage on July 2, 1967 at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple made their home and farmed in Kanaranzi Township where their lives were blessed with four children, Troy, David, Dallas and Shelly. Larry farmed grain, hogs and cattle throughout the years. He also worked for a few winters at AR Wood Manufacturing. He retired from farming in 2013. He was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2005 and had a stem cell transplant in 2006. He fought a courageous 9 year battle. On February 4, 2015, he died peacefully at Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage with his family by his side at the age of 73 years and one day.

Larry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the stewardship committee and as an usher. He was a member of the Dell Hogan American Legion Post #123 where he currently served as the Gambling Manager. He also served as Post Commander and Honor Guard member. He was always willing to help with whatever was needed at the Legion. He served on the Kanaranzi Township Board from 2003 to the present. Larry was a Nascar fan. He was thrilled when his children surprised him at Christmas with tickets to the Daytona 500 in February of 2005. He enjoyed the companionship of his cats that were always around him at his shop.

Larry is lovingly remembered by his wife, Gloria of Luverne; children, Dallas (Tiffany) Boelman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Shelly (Wade) Popkes of Rock Rapids, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Tammy Boelman of Albert Lea, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew, Allison and Abigail Boelman, Brecken Boelman, and Kalvin and Kurtis Popkes; sister, LaVonne (Donald) Reinke of Larchwood, Iowa; and sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Ardyth (Kenneth) Bowen of Edgerton, Minnesota, Clifford (Gloria) Hansen of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Vivian (Sidney) Aarestad of Burnsville, Minnesota and Raymond (Elaine) Hansen of Luverne. He was preceded in death by his sons, David and Troy; parents, William and Jennie Boelman; and parents-in-law, Carl and Olga Hansen.