Ronald G. Boettcher

Ronald G. Boettcher, 89, of Rake, passed from this life on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at
UHD hospital in Blue Earth, MN.

Funeral services were held Thursday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. Interment followed at West Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Visitation was held at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Ronnie was born September 3, 1933, to Henry and Irene (Halvorson) Boettcher in rural Kossuth County.
He spent the majority of his life in Rake, helping at his parents’ restaurant when he was a youngster. He
graduated from Rake High School in 1951 and later served in the U.S. Army. He was a confirmed member of
Zion Lutheran Church, where he married Lavonne Gruhn on July 20, 1958. He drove the Standard Oil truck
and delivered fuel to patrons of the surrounding area, but his path in life was as a carpenter. He touched the
lives of many people with the houses he built, remodeling projects, cabinet work, and later on with garden
barns and play houses. He would tear down old houses, barns or other structures and recycle the wood into
many of his projects. He used his woodworking skills for a great many memorable items for his family as well,
following a pattern or looking at a picture and creating his own.

Ron and Lavonne loved to square dance and they were one of the original charter couples of the Rake
Rocking R’s square dance club. They had a large garden every year, several apple trees and a pear tree.
They traveled most years to visit relatives, and Ron was proud to have the privilege to take the Veterans Honor
Flight to Washington D.C. He always enjoyed reading his WWII books and magazines. He rarely, if ever,
missed having morning and afternoon coffee uptown in Rake on a daily basis. He also enjoyed a good jigsaw
puzzle and playing bingo, both which he continued as he moved into assisted living and St. Luke’s nursing
home. He loved having his family come to visit and spending time with his kids and grandkids, and he also
loved tinkering around or spending time just sitting and talking with good neighbors and friends.

He is survived by his daughters, Joan (Brian) of Fairmont, MN, and Julie (Duane) of Lakota, his
grandchildren, Danielle and Dustin Meyer, and Emily, Alan and Taylor Davids; his brother Gary (Alice)
Boettcher of Churchville, Maryland, sister-in-law Florence (Bob) Natzke of Greenleaf, WI; brother-in-law
Virgil Gruhn of Ravenna, NE, and sister-in-law Linda Gruhn, of Holdrege, NE, along with many
nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lavonne, his in-laws, Bert and Ella Gruhn, brother-in-
law Laverne Barnes, sister-in-law Lois Burns, brother-in-law Roger Gruhn, and sister-in-law Sharon Gruhn.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the St. Luke’s staff, Dr. Aaron Johnson and the nursing
staff at UHD for their compassionate care.

Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center or to the donor’s choice. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.