Ellen R Boettcher

She was preceded in death by her Parents and a Sister Myrtle Heitzman.

She is survived by her Husband of 71 years, Wilbur Boettcher, a Son, Jerry Boettcher (Dianna), 2 Grandchildren, 4 Great grandchildren, and 2 Great great grandchildren, along with 2 Sisters, Marian Bothe, and Gert Hanson.

~Funeral Services~

11:00 AM Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at

St. Pauls Lutheran Church,

710 E. Broadway Street

Osseo, Minnesota 55369

with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.

~Burial~

St. Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery

Osseo, Minnesota

Gearhart Anoka

763-421-4347

gearhartanokachapel.com

ELLEN SCHAKE BOETTCHER

Ellen Ruth Boettcher was born to Oscar and Elizabeth Schake on July 9, 1924. The family—Ellen, sisters Marian, Myrtle, and Gertrude—lived in Anoka and belonged to St. Stephen’s Catholic Parish. Oscar was employed by the Great Northern Railroad.

Ellen attended Anoka Public Schools, graduated from Anoka High School in 1941, and attended the Minnesota College of Business. She went to work first with Nash Finch, but soon after took a job with Anoka County; this was to be her place of employment for more than 40 years.

Roller skating was a popular form of entertainment in the early 40s, and it was at a roller rink that Ellen caught the eye of a farm boy from Dayton, Wilbur Boettcher. The two kept company until Wilbur joined the U.S. Army and was sent to all the “hot spots” in Europe—Normandy, Africa, Sicily, to name a few. Through those years Ellen and Wilbur kept in touch by mail, writing countless letters—certainly not the rapid communication of today. Ellen didn’t know if Wilbur would return safely; neither did he.

When peace came, Wilbur was discharged and dropped unceremoniously on the streets of Minneapolis with his duffel bag. He found his way to the railroad yard and located Ellen’s dad. Oscar took Wilbur to the Schake home and presented him to Ellen—“Look what I brought home for you!” he said. What a joyous reunion!

Ellen and Wilbur were married on June 26, 1946 and settled in the house on Madison St. in Anoka that was to be their home for their entire married life—71 years. When son Jerry was born in 1948, Grandma Schake did day care and Ellen continued her career with Anoka County. Working her way up to the position of secretary for the Registrar of Deeds, Ellen often stayed late to finish a project. Evenings were the times that prisoners were allowed to exercise in the halls of the courthouse. Wilbur outfitted Ellen with a handgun to defend herself should one of the culprits break loose. It didn’t happen but Ellen was ready!

Wilbur was an outdoors guy, and Ellen usually joined him. She hunted antelope and deer; she fished, and she picked rocks. Occasionally she joined a cousin in Washington while Wilbur went big game hunting. Traveling was also great fun for Ellen-- trips to Russia, China, Germany, and the Holy Land. Fellow travelers remember that Ellen loved to shop!

Perhaps the most interesting of Wilbur and Ellen’s hobbies were the truck pulls in which they participated in the 70s and early 80s. It started with Wilbur’s purchase of a ’75 Ford pick-up. The next few years are peppered with phrases like “stock, modified, CJ5 Jeep, Dodge Ram, 3-times the HP, 6500, 8000”. These were fiercely competitive events complete with tampering and vandalism, and fearless Ellen drove and WON! More than 250 trophies are evidence of the couple’s success.

Ellen became a staunch Lutheran and served God at St. Paul’s in many ways. A charter alto of the original John Hansen choir, she sang for more than 50 years. She also played in the first Handbell choir (and always washed the gloves). Her service in the kitchen dates back to the famed Book Club Luncheons (and she always washed the towels).

Ellen prepared much wild meat in her day, her family loved her Bavarian Cream Pie; we found her “interesting” Kidney Bean Salad in TWO of St. Paul’s cookbooks.

A longtime cancer survivor, Ellen’s health began to fail in the last few years. She was a resident of Golden Living Care Center, to which Wilbur walked daily and Pastor Burns visited often. Her sweet and gentle spirit will be missed here on earth but is fit for her heavenly home where she rejoices now. Praise God!

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Myrtle.

Left to mourn her passing are Wilbur, her husband of 71 years, her son Jerry and wife Dianna, two granddaughters, four greatgrand-children, and two great greatgrand-children, as well as sisters Marian Bothe and Gertrude Hanson.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor. 15:55-57