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Donald Boedeker
DONALD BOEDEKER
Lowden
Donald D. Boedeker, 87, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016, at his home. Funeral services will be held at Zion United Church of Christ on Tuesday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Stephen Stepp and the Rev. Kristin Van Heyningen officiating. Burial will follow at Van Horn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 21, at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence.
Don was born the son of Deitrich and Marie (Deerberg) Boedeker on the Boedeker family farm south of Lowden on Feb. 25, 1929. He was joined in marriage to Carol Jean Freese on Aug. 19, 1950, at Zion E & R in Lowden.
Don was the first child in his family to attend high school, graduating from Lowden High School in 1946. Thereafter, he farmed with his father and brothers. Don started farming on his own on the family farm south of Lowden in March 1951. He and Carol continued being stewards of that land until their semi-retirement to Lowden on Sept. 24, 1993. Don eventually fully retired from farming at age 85 due to poor health.
Don was a Jacques Seed Corn dealer, director of the former Lowden Creamery and charter member of the Lowden Lions. Don was an active Lion and served as secretary, president and director of the Lowden Lions Club, was chairman of the 9 x 9 Lions and Region II chairman. He received the Warren Coleman award in 1990 and became a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1992.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol; sons, Steven and Scott Boedeker; daughters, Sally Jo (Larry) Snyder and Susan Monson; Rita Mayerhofer; honorary daughter, Beth (Gene) Brus; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; as well as stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
His brothers, Chris and Henry Boedeker; sister, Betty Baal; and sister-in-law, Eunice Boedeker, also survive him, along with his nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his son, Stanley Don Boedeker, in 2010; son-in-law, Mel Monson; daughter-in-law, Patricia Boedeker; his parents; and siblings, Paul Boedeker, Milda Boedeker, Richard Boedeker and Norman Boedeker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
Please direct online condolences to www.chapmanfh.com.
When Don gave you a hug and three pats on the back, you knew you had been hugged!
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