Virgil H. Boeck

Virgil Herman Boeck was born at Denison, Iowa, September 4, 1924, the son of Benton and Lillie Voss Boeck. He was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in Carroll, Iowa, September 21, 1930 and confirmed in his Christian Faith at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa, April 2, 1939. Virgil was raised on farms in the Denison and Manilla areas receiving his early education in the rural schools before open enrolling in the Denison High School from which he graduated with the class of 1942. Following high school he farmed with his father. From January of 1946 until November of 1946, Virgil served his country in the United States Army as a Sergeant with the 15th Infantry Regiment 3rd Division receiving the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. On December 8, 1946, Virgil was united in marriage with Violet Ella Haase at Spencer, Iowa. Their union was blessed with nine children, Dennis, Larry, Deborah, Dwight, Linda, Lanah, Terence, and twins, Thomas and Timothy. They made their home on the farm in Goodrich Township where they farmed and raised their family. In 1995, Virgil and Violet retired from the farm and moved to Denison. Violet died February 11, 1998 and Virgil continued to make his home in Denison. In his spare time Virgil enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre and Kings Corner, reading, windshield farming and spending time at the Denison Senior Center. He was happiest when spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Virgil was a long time active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Zion Men’s Club, Zion Voters Assembly and the Wedding Ring/Fellowship Clubs. For many years he was 4-H Leader of the Good Handy Helpers 4-H Club and a member of the Crawford County Extension Council. Virgil was a 69 year member of the Farm Bureau having served most of their offices, receiving their Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, and the Boecks were selected as Farm Family of the Week by WOW-TV in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a 25 plus year member of the REC Board of Directors, served on the board of directors of AMPI and NIPCO and was most proud of his 67 year membership in the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Virgil died Saturday afternoon, October 20, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 88 years, 1 month and 16 days. Including his parents and his wife, Virgil was also preceded in death by one brother, Russell Boeck, son-in-law Donald Green, sisters-in-law: Irene Boeck, LaVerne Haase and Marian Boeck, brothers-in-law: Edmund Haase and Vernon Haase and his special friend, Edna Schroeder. Those remaining to cherish his memory include nine children and their spouses: Dennis and Norma Jean Boeck of Morrison, Illinois, Larry and Annette Boeck of Denison, Iowa, Deborah Green of Denison, Iowa, Dwight and Carolyn Boeck of Denison, Iowa, Linda and Larry Matijevich of Polk City, Iowa, Lanah Boeck of Monroe, Washington, Terence Boeck of Schleswig, Iowa, Thomas and Debi Boeck of Keokuk, Iowa, Timothy and Carolyn Boeck of Green Bay, Wisconsin; 22 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; one brother Gaylord and wife Maxine Boeck of Schleswig, Iowa; sister Bonnie and husband Rev. Virgil Ewoldt of Milford, Iowa; sister-in-law Lillian Haase of Grimes, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service was provided by the Zion Adult Choir singing “Lord Be My Rock, Jesus Loves Me” and the congregation singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and “God Bless Our Native Land” with Karen Kahl serving as organist. Pallbearers were Dennis Boeck, Larry Boeck, Dwight Boeck, Terence Boeck, Thomas Boeck and Timothy Boeck. Graveside rites and burial were held at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens, Denison, Iowa. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa with Father Paul Kelly playing “Taps”. Following the interment the family cordially invited everyone to return to the church and join them in fellowship and a meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store assisted by Zion Evening Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.