Gene Boeckman, age 93 of Lake View, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, surrounded by his family at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. Eugene LeRoy Boeckman was born on August 9, 1931, to parents Tony and Helena (Yohnke) Boeckman on a farm west of Carnarvon, IA. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA. He attended country school and then graduated in 1949 from Lake View High School.
One night while at the Starline Ballroom in Carroll, IA, Gene approached a young lady by the name of Patricia Dirkx and asked her to dance. On June 29, 1955, just three months after their first dance, the two were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburn. This union was blessed with three children, Allen, Mary, and Dale. Together they raised their family in Carnarvon, IA. Gene worked in the oil business for Ernie Walters for several years before purchasing the business in 1960, naming it Carnarvon Oil Company. He and Pat also owned and operated B&B Country Store in Lake View for several years. They lived in Carnarvon for over forty years before moving to their lake home in Lake View in 1998.
Gene and Pat would continue to dance on a regular basis at all of the area dancehalls. This was certainly one of their favorite things to do together. The two of them also traveled far and wide. They hopped in their RV and traveled to every state they could and visited Hawaii, but by plane of course. They also made it to see almost all parts of Canada, and at least eight other foreign countries together. After they retired, they spent fifteen years of winters in Texas and Arizona.
Gene was a devout Christian/Catholic who faithfully served his parish throughout his life. He was a monumental part of getting the parish hall at St. Joe’s built and held about every office in the church at one time or another. As much as he and his family traveled, Sunday morning church was never missed; they always found a service, wherever they were visiting.
Gene will be remembered for many things, one of them being his dedication to high school football. Gene was instrumental in the development and completion of the Wall lake complex. He started on the chain gang and then moved to the press box and ran the clock for fifty straight years. He never missed a home or away game. In 2019, Gene was awarded the Distinguished Service award, which was presented by the Iowa Coaches Association in Altoona, IA. In 2011, Gene was the Grand Marshall in the Lake View Water Carnival Parade. Gene was involved in many volunteer organizations including the Lake View Community Club, Lions Club, and was president of the Wall Lake School Board for many years. In his free time, Gene enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Living on the lake meant fishing was always at his fingertips as was boating. Gene claimed to have the first pontoon with a motor on Black Hawk Lake, constructed out of barrels and plywood.
Above all, spending time with his family is what brought Gene the most joy. So many memories were made gathering on a regular basis. Seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play and grow always made him smile. He was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa who will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish Gene’s memory include his children, Allen (Sandy) Boeckman, Mary Boeckman, and Dale (Christy) Boeckman all of Lake View, IA; grandchildren: Heather Boeckman of Sac City, IA, Andy (Brook) Boeckman of Sac City, IA, Josh (Ashley) Hanke of Schleswig, IA, Jenna (Jerrid) Frank of Breda, IA, Nathan (Crissy) Boeckman of Lake View, IA, Ally (Kyle) Leners of Lake View, IA, and Caitlyn (Brian) Hecht of Lytton, IA; great-grandchildren: Samantha Nissen, Haylee Nissen, Brooklyn (Javi) Ronda, Brianna, Brody, Evan, and Brynn Boeckman, Peyton Hanke, Jaylee and Jori Frank, Logan Riedell, Lexi, Lily, and Elle Boeckman, Avery, Abigail, and Adilynn Leners, Eastynn, Blake, Kacen, and Chase Hecht; siblings Morris Boeckman, Ione (Jim) Schreck, Ray Boeckman, Agnes Wiederin, Marie Loew, Veronica (Norm) Hanson, Pat (Louie) Havermann, and Paul (Cheri) Boeckman; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by wife of sixty-nine years, Pat Boeckman (2024); great-grandson Ethan Nissen; parents Tony and Helena Boeckman; parents-in-law Emmet and Helen Dirkx; siblings Mike Boeckman, Gabe (Jean) Boeckman, Joseph Boeckman, Donna Mae Boeckman, Mary Sue Boeckman, and Ruth Boeckman; brothers-in-law Cletus Dirkx, Kenneth (Sheri) Dirkx, and Wilber Wiederin.