Vernon Boettcher

Vernon Boettcher of Stacy, Minnesota passed away on December 2, 2015, at the age of 94 years, 7 months in the same house where he was born. Vernon was born April 17, 1921, in Linwood Township, to Julius and Alma (Kriesel) Boettcher. He attended the one room 'Popcorn School' located across the road from his home. Later he attended Forest Lake High School and graduated in 1940. On March 30, 1953, he married Fern Wahlin. Together they raised their four children on the farm where Vernon was born and raised. While continuing to farm, Vernon also served as a substitute mail carrier until 1971 when he sold the dairy cattle and became a full time carrier at the Stacy post office. Vernon's interest in community involvement started early. Along with his father and older brother, he was involved in the local township in the 1940's and '50's; attending meetings and working on the roads and bridges. Vernon volunteered many hours of service on a variety of boards for community organizations. He served 29 years on the Forest Lake School Board and the Linwood Township Planning Commission. He also served on the Isanti Feed Mill Board, the Sunrise Watershed Board, and the Linwood School Forest Committee, an airport site selection committee, and many other local community committees. Vernon's interest in community involvement didn't end when he resigned from his last position as he continued to attend meetings, including the Forest Lake Retired Educators. Vernon also enjoyed traveling throughout his life; including trips to California, Oregon, Florida, Scandinavia, and the former Soviet Union as a member of People to People tour. Vernon grew up during the Great Depression and was no stranger to hard work. At age 14, with no way to reach Forest Lake to attend school that year, he spent the winter cutting wood for a couple of dollars a day; money he used to buy his own clothes. During his younger years, he cut wood and started the fire for the 'Popcorn School' to earn money. He also cut wood to create many of the fields on his farm. After he 'retired,' he continued to cut wood as his pastime well into his late-80's. Vernon's other major pastime included collecting tractors. He collected a tractor similar to every one he had ever owned and then added a few more. His collection grew to include 24 tractors, mostly John Deere. Vernon and Fern also enjoyed going to auctions and threshing shows. Vernon had given up fishing for the chainsaw early on; but continued to go deer hunting annually until he sold most of the farmland. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene, and grandson Justin Boettcher. Vernon is survived by his wife, Fern; daughter, Marilyn (Galen) Naber, sons: Jim (Bridget), Alan, and Glenn (Denise); grandchildren: Kara Naber, Kevin Naber, Brandon (Emily) Boettcher, Amy (Jonathan) Weisz, Danny (Aliesha) Boettcher, Andrew Boettcher, Renee (Andrew) Heaton, Ashley (Corey) Grace, Travis (Alex) Boettcher, Amanda (Honorio) Tzompaxtle, Tyler Boettcher, Arianna Boettcher, Karenna (Tyler) Eckel, Leanna Boettcher, Aaron Boettcher; 12 great-grandchildren; brother Melvin (Yvonne).

The family would like to express thanks to the in-home caregivers. Their care made it possible for Vernon to finish his days in the comfort of his own home. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Wyoming Elementary School, 25701 Forest Blvd, Wyoming, MN. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 p.m., Friday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake and one hour prior to services at the school. Interment at Linwood Cemetery, Linwood, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Forest Lake Area Community Scholarship Foundation.

Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, December 11, 2015
Visitation
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Service
Saturday, December 12, 2015
cemetery
Saturday, December 12, 2015

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