Gene Edward Boesche, 84, of Plato

Gene Edward Boesche, 84, of Plato, died Monday, March 2, 2015, at Lakeview Ranch in Dassel.
Memorial services were held Saturday, March 7, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato with the Rev. Tyson Mastin officiating. Cheryl Andrix was the organist, and soloist RaNaye Odegaard sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Congregational hymns were “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
Military honors were by Plato American Legion Post 641.
Honorary urn bearers were Josh Boesche, Christopher Boesche, Breana Boesche, Michaela Boesche, Mitchell Boesche and Hannah Boesche. Interment was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in rural Plato.
Gene Edward Boesche was born Feb. 20, 1931, in Glencoe, the son of Edward and Cora (Heimkes) Boesche. He was baptized as an infant on March 15, 1931, by the Rev. E. Kolbe at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, and was confirmed in his faith on April 18, 1943, by the Rev. Reuben Ehlen at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato. He received his education in Glencoe, graduating with the Stevens Seminary class of 1949.
He entered active military service in the U.S. Army on March 14, 1952, and served his country in Korea. He was awarded a United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Campaign Star. He received an honorable discharge on Dec. 12, 1953.
On Nov. 28, 1953, he was united in marriage to Glorian Schrupp by the Rev. W.P. Kramer at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norwood Young America. They made their home in Plato, and their marriage was blessed with four sons, Bruce, Brian, Barry and Brad. The couple shared over 61 years of marriage.
Mr. Boesche was a truck driver, hauling livestock with his dad and brother for Boesche Transfer for 42 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato. He also was a member of the Plato Fire Department for 221⁄2 years, Plato American Legion Post 641, and a manager and player for the Plato Blue Jays baseball team.
Mr. Boesche enjoyed baseball, boxing, hunting, fishing and playing cards, especially skat and sheephead. He loved his grandchildren and watching them participating in sporting events. He cherished the time spent with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Glorian Boesche of Glencoe; sons, Bruce (Ceil) Boesche of Rogers, Brian (Cheryl) Boesche of St. Cloud, Barry (Sandy) Boesche of Glencoe and Brad (Kris) Boesche of Plato; grandchildren, Josh Boesche of Rochester, Christpher Boesche of Maple Grove, Breana Boesche of Glencoe, Michaela Boesche of Glencoe, Mitchell Boesche of Plato and Hannah Boesche of Plato; sister, Joyce Boesche of Glencoe; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mavis Huepenbecker of Wayzata, Orville (Doris) Schrupp of Plato, Andy Gambucci of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Eileen (Norm) Anderson of Glencoe; nephews; nieces; other relatives; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Cora Boesche; siblings, Doris Boesche, Gloria Gambucci and Edward Boesche; and brother-in-law, Dusty Huepenbecker.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel of Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.