Boysen, George 'Glenn'

George “Glenn” Boysen, 98, of 2510 White Eagle Trail SE, passed away March 4, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital of complications after a fall. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held Friday, March 9, at Fredsville Lutheran Church near the town of Dike, Iowa, where he was born. Friends and family may visit after 10 a.m., before the 11 a.m. service. Burial will be at the Fredsville Cemetery where his family is buried.

Glenn is survived by his daughter, Cathy Intlekofer and husband Jeff of Cedar Rapids; his four grandchildren, Brooke (Boretsky) Spicer and husband Adam of Cedar Rapids, Blake Boretsky of San Francisco, Calif., and Eric Intlekofer and Alex Intlekofer of Iowa City; one great-grandchild, Shaylee Spicer; sister-in-law, Margaret Brennan of Carlsbad, Calif.; nieces, Karen (Dr. Ruedi) Good of Sherman, Texas, Patty Matthews (Tom) of Sugar Land, Texas, Mary Ann Vangelisti (Richard) of Sun City West, Ariz., and Rose Brennan of Reno, Nev.; nephews, Dr. John Brennan (Karen) of Sherman, Texas, Michael Brennan (Arlene) of Chicago, Father Terry Brennan of Milwaukee, Wis., and Kevin Brennan of Longwood, Fla.; as well as many grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine; his parents, George and Sophia (Slifsgaard) Boysen; sister, Alpha Stewart; sisters-in-law, Sister Irene Brennan, Sister Ann Brennan and Mary Brennan Sage; and brothers-in-law, Ed Brennan, Matt Brennan and John Brennan.

Glenn was born Nov. 4, 1913. In high school he participated in basketball, baseball, band, choir and debate. He graduated at 16 and attended Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa. There he was a member of six honorary fraternities; glee club, debate team, band, president of his social fraternity and president of his senior class. He was the Iowa Conference tennis doubles champion in 1933 with his partner Don Klotz. He graduated from college at the age of 20 with a degree in math. He married Catherine Brennan, the light of his life, on Aug. 17, 1933, in New York City, where he was attending Columbia University to receive his master's degree in education.

He was principal and teacher at Aurora High School and Waverly High School, debate and tennis coach (creating Waverly's tennis program where they never had a losing season) and math teacher at Callanan Junior High School in Des Moines. He went on to have a lengthy career at Meredith Publishing Co. in Des Moines, where he was a director.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines and sang in the choir for many years. After retiring he and his wife traveled the world with friends, family and as tour hosts.

He was very involved with UNI where he was on the Alumni board of directors, Board of Governors, UNI Foundation, president of Alumni Association, National Annual Fund chairman for 17 years and twice Homecoming Parade Marshall.

A few years after the death of his wife in 2000, he moved to Cedar Rapids and lived with his daughter and her family.

Glenn loved to play golf and cards, fish, garden, travel, work crossword puzzles and watch his beloved Cubs, Hawkeyes and Panthers.

His greatest joy was his family and good friends. He was the epitome of a gentleman, never saying an unkind word about anyone, a man of great faith who often said, “this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”He loved deeply and was deeply loved. He had a long and good life.

 The family would like to thank the Intlekofer family for their support, Kay Scherrman for her friendship, and the staff at St. Luke's Hospital for their care.

Memorials may be directed to the Bremwood Lutheran Childrens Home in Waverly or the Fredsville Lutheran Church in Dike.

Please leave a message or tribute to Glenn's family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published March 7, 2012 in The Gazette