Laura Marie Boesche, 91, of Glencoe

Laura Marie (Stradtmann) Boesche, 91, of Glencoe, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Minnetonka. 

 

Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 28, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe with the Rev. Daniel Welch officiating. Luke Dahl was the organist and RaNaye Odegaard was the soloist for “On Eagle’s Wings.” Congregational hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” 

 

Casket bearers were Scott Eskelson, Greggory Eskelson, Joshua Boesche, Michael Boesche, Andrew Boesche, Jackson Boesche and Thomas Boesche. Honorary casket bearers were Kathleen Myers, Nicole Simington, Andrea Boesche, Margot Witte, Stephanie Polzin, Tricia Temploneuvo, Maria Sjorgren, Courtney Thode, Michael Beaver, Jennifer Borchers, Mark Beaver, Melanie Beaver, Chandler Hegna and Kinsey Hegna. Interment was in the church cemetery.

 

Laura Marie (Stradtmann) Boesche was born Dec. 4, 1923, in Glencoe. She was the third child of Henry Johann Frederick and Ella Marie (Paulsen) Stradtmann. She was baptized on Dec. 23, 1923, by the Rev. E. Kolbe at First Evangelical Church in Glencoe, and was later confirmed in her faith by Rev. Alfred Streufert. She attended school in a little country schoolhouse about a mile down the road. Since the family had a large farm house, the teacher often rented a room so it was pretty hard not to pay attention to school work. It has been told that she was a “tomboy” growing up and got into a bit of trouble; this was neither confirmed nor denied.

 

When Mrs. Boesche was just 18, on May 31, 1942, she was united in marriage to Victor Martin Boesche by the Rev. Streufert at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. They made their home temporarily with her parents on the family farm just south of Glencoe. Mr. Boesche was drafted into the Army, so she stayed behind with her family on the farm. She was able to spend some time with her husband in North Carolina while he was stationed there, but then returned to Glencoe when he was deployed to Germany. When he returned, they made their home in Glencoe. They shared over 47 years of marriage and were blessed with eight children, JoAnn, Gerald, Alan, Susan, Mark, Kevin, Robert and Patricia.

 

After her husband died on April 24, 1990, she moved to Eden Prairie and later to Chanhassen. In Chanhassen, she was always looking for a new adventure. She worked various jobs and especially liked working in a deli as it was easy for her to make friends and she loved talking with people.

 

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Mrs. Boesche stayed home to raise her children and work on the farm. Farming was hard work and there was always a group of neighbors to help out. It was a good thing she liked to bake because eight loaves of bread, cinnamon rolls and cake were not unusual. She also had odd jobs from time to time and many summers included Green Giant. One would often find the family out doing chores. When they weren’t working, there would be a ball game going on or some other outdoor activity that she had organized. That was the kind of mother she was, dedicated to her family and, oh, how she loved a good game. Games that the family played together included baseball, croquet and basketball in the summer. In the winter, it was cards, puzzles and marathon board games like Monopoly and Yahtzee, which would decide who would do the dishes for that meal. But no matter what the season or time of day, she would never turn down a game of Rook. The funny part is that Mrs. Boesche rarely lost; she won at whatever game she played. 

 

Christmas was a special time for her and she always enjoyed making the holiday special for the family. She would decorate and shop to find the perfect gift for each person. She loved having company and she enjoyed making something wonderful for them to eat. Her visitors never left empty handed, as she was known for sending them home with something to enjoy later. 

 

She is survived by her children, JoAnn Eskelson of Ramsey, Gerald (Nancy) Boesche of Monument, Colorado, Alan (Sheila) Boesche of Minneapolis, Susan Boesche (Tom Jenson) of Buffalo City, Wisconsin, Mark (Christine) Boesche of Glencoe, Kevin (Gayle) Boesche of Northfield, Robert (Nancy) Boesche of Golden Valley and Patricia (Kyle) Hegna of Chaska; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Irene Novosad; brother, Roy Stradtmann; and  other relatives and many friends. 

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ella Stradtmann; husband, Victor Boesche; brother, Ivan Stradtmann; son-in-law, Harvey Eskelson; and several other extended family members. 

 

Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel. An online guest book is available at www.hantge .com.