Donna Mae Boehlke

Donna Mae Schendel Boehlke passed away on May 9, 2017 at the age of 91. She was born in 1925 to Ben and Elsie Schendel in Deer Creek, MN, where she grew up in a close-knit family with her brother and sister, surrounded by her beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Throughout her life she re-called the happy days of her childhood: trying to fly over the back fence on the swing; having the freedom to walk into town by herself; roller skating with her friends; working behind the candy counter at her father's auto dealership; driving alone on country roads to deliver cars to customers; singing and playing basketball with the girls, and cheerleading for the boys in high school; participating in all aspects of her local church; and instigating adventures with friends, not always with her parents' permission… or knowledge. As she grew up, Donna was greatly influenced by her father, whom she adored. She observed his examples of patriotism, conservatism, and civic involvement and adopted them as a model for her own life.

Donna graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1943 and attended the University of Minnesota for a year. Then, with nurses in critical demand during World War II, she began studies at the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, MN. She graduated with her RN degree in 1947. For several years she worked in private duty nursing, finding adventures as she travelled around the country. In the summer of 1950 Donna took a job as the camp nurse at Koronis Bible Camp in Minnesota. There she met Russ Boehlke, a handsome, recent graduate with a degree in Animal Husbandry. They were married in September.

The newlyweds' first home was a tiny outbuilding on the Boehlke family farm. Despite the simple pleasures of living next to her in-laws with minimal plumbing and electricity, Donna was able to inspire her husband to forego the appeal of farm life and pursue a career in medicine. With her encouragement, Russ applied to medical school, and with her help, graduated with his medical degree in 1955.

While Russ attended medical school Donna supported their growing family by working nights as an RN, and days as a wife and mother. For five years and as many moves, Donna worked lovingly and tirelessly to create secure and happy homes for her four children and husband as he began his medical career.

In 1960 the Boehlke family moved to Fort Collins to establish a permanent home. With the infectious exuberance that characterized her entire life, Donna immediately immersed herself and her family in church, school, and her community. As a teenager, Donna had accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior; finding a church home for her family was a priority. Soon Sunday school, choir, Youth Fellowship, WSWS, hospitality committees, Bible studies, and driving people to church activities became an integral part of Boehlke family life. Outgoing and friendly, she made friends quickly; it didn't take her family long to feel at home in Fort Collins.

Donna demonstrated the same inexhaustible energy with her now five children's activities. She rarely missed a school play, concert, ball game or awards assembly. She was there for her children, and it was easy for them to be proud of her. She had a way of making learning fun whether it was going to the symphony, a political rally, the fish hatchery, or on a car trip (stopping for every historical marker on the way). Donna's devoted support continued into her children's adulthood, when instead of piano recitals she attended new grandbabies, and the award assemblies honored her grandchildren. She was an encourager and was very proud of the people her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren became.

Donna lived life well. She lived without fear, cherishing her freedom and independence. She was blessed to have lived each day doing the things she thought were important: studying the Scriptures; faithfully praying for each family member; ministering to others; caring for her brother and sister; working to advance her political ideals to secure her grandchildren's futures. But she also chose to do things just for fun: laughing with friends; riding her bike to Toddy's; driving… most anywhere; going on picnics up the Poudre; making divinity; sitting on the patio with the sun on her face; enjoying language, poetry, history, and architecture. In her last days, she so missed her husband and looked forward to meeting her closest friend and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Donna is survived by four of their five children—Stacy Heikes, Patty Hurley, Jim Boehlke, and Ann Boehlke—18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Preceding Donna in death were her husband of 66 years, Russell; their daughter, Mary Wierman; her parents Ben and Elsie Schendel; sister Jeanette and brother, Earl.

A Memorial Service will be held at eleven o'clock on Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Drake Road Christian Church, 608 E. Drake Rd. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.