Fern M. Boettcher

Fern Marie Boettcher passed away on July 8, 2023, at Boutwells Gables Memory Care Center in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, at the age of 93 years, 9 months. Fern was born October 1, 1929 in Fosston, MN to Carl and Esther (Miliander) Wahlin. Fern was the youngest of 8 children. She attended the local country school through 8^th grade. Because there wasn’t any transportation to high school, she lived with family and friends in town so that she could continue her education. She graduated from Fosston High School in 1948. Fern attended a teacher’s college in Valley City, ND and received her teaching certificate in August 1949.  She taught for a short time in a 1 room school in Regent, ND. She also had office jobs in Minneapolis and Duluth.  On March 30, 1953, she married Vernon Boettcher. Together they raised their four children on the farm where Vernon was born and raised. Fern was an active partner in the farm work – milking cows, driving tractor, driving truck, and lifting hay bales. She enjoyed gardening and writing letters. After the children left home, she enjoyed collecting owls and crocheting. Fern expressed her love for God at a young age and continued to practice her faith throughout her life, faithfully attending fellowship, gospel meetings, and conventions. Her love for music and singing hymns continued through the last days of her life.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, her parents, all of her siblings: Edith, Mildred, Walter, Alvin, Vivian (Peters), Irwin, Ruth (Quick), and grandson Justin Boettcher. Fern is survived by daughter, Marilyn (Galen) Naber, sons: Jim (Bridget), Alan, and Glenn (Denise); grandchildren: Kara Naber (Jared Wolterstorff), Kevin Naber, Brandon (Emily) Boettcher, Amy (Jonathan) Weisz, Danny (Aliesha) Boettcher, Andrew Boettcher, Renee (Andrew) Heaton, Ashley (Corey) Grace, Travis (Alex) Boettcher, Amanda Tzompaxtle (Nick Johnson), Tyler Boettcher, Arianna (Ian) Mills, Karenna (Tyler) Eckel, Leanna Boettcher, and Aaron Boettcher; 20 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and sister-in-law Yvonne Boettcher.

The family would like to express thanks to the in-home caregivers. Their care made it possible for Fern to stay in her own home for almost 8 years when she was no longer able to live independently. In February 2022 she moved to Boutwells Gables Care Center in Oak Park Heights. The family would also like to express thanks to the staff at Boutwells and to the Lakeview Hospice team for their care.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 17 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service. Interment will be at Linwood Cemetery, Linwood, MN.