Earl Boltinghouse
March 26, 1933 — January 29, 2023
A beloved hometown hero
Earl Boltinghouse passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Senior Living in Osage Beach, Missouri, near the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. He was born in Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa, to George and Edith Boltinghouse on March 26, 1933. He grew up in Harlan and attended Harlan Community High School, where he developed lifelong friendships and an appreciation for learning. His childhood was an idyllic time in his life, which he recalled fondly.
He attended Simpson College in Indianola, IA, where he joined the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, began his pursuit of his dental career, and met the love of his life, Jo Ann Boltinghouse, his wife of 65 years (married June 12,1955, at the United Methodist Church in Tabor, Iowa).
Earl would then go on to accomplish many things; including a successful and full career as a dentist, an avid golfer, and an entrepreneur with his wife, running a successful Shaklee business as partners in business and in life, accomplishing whatever they set their minds to. Most importantly together, Earl and Jo Ann's greatest accomplishment was the family that they raised. Having lived an incredibly full life, Earl leaves behind a family who became the people they are because of the love, kindness and respect taught and shown to them by Earl and Jo Ann their entire lives. Earl was a loved man who brought intelligence, patience, and grace to every room he entered. His memory will continue in Harlan and beyond for the years to come.
Earl will be happily remembered and is survived by his and Jo Ann's children: Jeff Boltinghouse and sons Bennett and Maxwell, Kerry Boltinghouse and his wife Mallory and children Monty, Patrick, Elizabeth and Autumn and Ginger Rierden (Boltinghouse) and husband Tim and children Taylor, AJ and Bailey, as well as the tens of thousands of other lives that he has touched. Earl was never scared to take on new opportunities and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone. Earl had incredible stoicism, and always made time to help others, and he chose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service. This is his legacy that will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to have met such a wonderful man.
A celebration of his life will be held June 12 at the Harlan First United Methodist Church, 1202 9th St, Harlan, IA 51537. There will be open visitation with the family from 9:30-10:30 and service at 10:30 with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the dream playground by writing a check to the City of Harlan, PO Box 650, Harlan, IA 51537. Please put Dream playground/Boltinghouse in the memo. Earl was instrumental in establishing Pioneer Park while serving on the city council and was always very proud of his involvement.
Earl Boltinghouse passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Senior Living in Osage Beach, Missouri, near the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. He was born in Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa, to George and Edith Boltinghouse on March 26, 1933. He grew up in Harlan and attended Harlan Community High School, where he developed lifelong friendships and an appreciation for learning. His childhood was an idyllic time in his life, which he recalled fondly.
He attended Simpson College in Indianola, IA, where he joined the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, began his pursuit of his dental career, and met the love of his life, Jo Ann Boltinghouse, his wife of 65 years (married June 12,1955, at the United Methodist Church in Tabor, Iowa).
Earl would then go on to accomplish many things; including a successful and full career as a dentist, an avid golfer, and an entrepreneur with his wife, running a successful Shaklee business as partners in business and in life, accomplishing whatever they set their minds to. Most importantly together, Earl and Jo Ann's greatest accomplishment was the family that they raised. Having lived an incredibly full life, Earl leaves behind a family who became the people they are because of the love, kindness and respect taught and shown to them by Earl and Jo Ann their entire lives. Earl was a loved man who brought intelligence, patience, and grace to every room he entered. His memory will continue in Harlan and beyond for the years to come.
Earl will be happily remembered and is survived by his and Jo Ann's children: Jeff Boltinghouse and sons Bennett and Maxwell, Kerry Boltinghouse and his wife Mallory and children Monty, Patrick, Elizabeth and Autumn and Ginger Rierden (Boltinghouse) and husband Tim and children Taylor, AJ and Bailey, as well as the tens of thousands of other lives that he has touched. Earl was never scared to take on new opportunities and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone. Earl had incredible stoicism, and always made time to help others, and he chose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service. This is his legacy that will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to have met such a wonderful man.
A celebration of his life will be held June 12 at the Harlan First United Methodist Church, 1202 9th St, Harlan, IA 51537. There will be open visitation with the family from 9:30-10:30 and service at 10:30 with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the dream playground by writing a check to the City of Harlan, PO Box 650, Harlan, IA 51537. Please put Dream playground/Boltinghouse in the memo. Earl was instrumental in establishing Pioneer Park while serving on the city council and was always very proud of his involvement.
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