Harlan Howard Boe, 90
Published 10:41 am Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Harlan Howard Boe, 90, a long time LeRoy area farmer, died Tuesday April 12, 2011, at the Wildwood Assisted Living Center.
Harlan was born November 2, 1920 on a farm in Clayton Township near Taopi, Minn., to Simon and Elizabeth (Anderson) Boe, the sixth of 13 children. He attended school at Clayton Prairie School District 74 until he was needed at home to help with farm work. He completed his GED in 1966. In June of 1941 he was united in marriage to Ethel Dumond at the LeRoy Lutheran Church. She died in 1981. In 1982, he was united in marriage to Margaret Newkirk also at the LeRoy Lutheran Church. Harlan began farming in 1941, and his love of the land kept him there for 70-plus years. He held an annual threshing bee from 1980 to 2000 to share the agriculture legacy with many from southeastern Minnesota. Attending auctions and collecting antiques was one of his passions. His auction in 2010 sold hundreds of plows, tractors and gas engines that he had collected over the years. His farm was a living history as he had restored several old buildings including a one-room school house and a blacksmith shop that reflects times gone by. He also loved horses and drove a team of Belgians in many local parades, as well as horse plowing contests. Harlan was an active member of the LeRoy community and served on many boards including the First National Bank, LeRoy Co-Op Creamery, MN-Iowa Rural Fire Association for more than 60 years and Co-Op Oil and the Farmers Co-Op. He was active in the LeRoy Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School Teacher and Congregation President; he also served as a 4-H leader. Harlan was known by many as the Sage Prairie Poet. His vivid and vibrant descriptions of the “good old days” brought those days back to life for those who listened. Reminiscing with him was like picking up a history book. He also played the harmonica and enjoyed performing at local events. “Shall We Gather At The River” was one of his signature pieces.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Boe of LeRoy; daughters, Barbara (Peter) Huus of Rochester, Joanne (Robert) Rowe of Albert Lea and Kathy (Don) Adams of LeRoy, Denise (Damian) Ahlstrom of Rochester, Barb (Scott) Gruhlke of Zumbro Falls; sons; Darin (Jill) Morrow of Ostrander, Jeff (Jody) Morrow of LeRoy and Donny Morrow of LeRoy; grandchildren; Kim, Kirsten, David, Eric, Dan, Dean, Kari, Joe, Ben, Desiree, Dane, Danelle, Sara, Emily, D.J., Derek, Jessica, Jennifer, Nicholas, Nathan and Dylan, 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Martha Boe and Bonnie Boe; also his beloved dog, Susie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ethel, and 12 siblings.
Funeral services for Harlan H. Boe will be held 11 a.m. Friday April 15, 2011, at the LeRoy Lutheran Church with the Rev. Rolf Wangberg officiating. Burial will be in the Marshall Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Adams. Friends may call at the Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials may be sent to the LeRoy Public Schools for a scholarship fund, the LeRoy Food Shelf or Wildwood Grove Assisted Living or the Good Samaritan Fund. Harlan will be remembered for his vitality and Zest for Life. Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.