Gloria J. Boelman

GLORIA JEAN BOELMAN was born June 27, 1947 to Carl and Olga (Larson) Hansen in Luverne, Minnesota. Gloria grew up on the family farm near Blue Mound State Park north of Luverne, Minnesota. Gloria was baptized on July 27, 1947 at Blue Mound Lutheran Church in rural Luverne and on October 21, 1962 received her confirmation at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1965. After high school, she worked at A.R. Woods for several years and worked part-time for Cora Hilger during tax season. She met the love of her life, Larry William Boelman, while playing in a mixed bowling league in Luverne. The couple was married on July 2, 1967 at Grace Lutheran Church. The couple made their home and farmed in Kanaranzi Township where their lives were blessed with four children, Troy, David, Dallas, and Shelly. Gloria kept busy as a farm wife and enjoyed working with Larry in the farrowing barn as well as driving tractor and combine in the fields. She cared for and nurtured her family and worked hard to provide a stable and loving home for the children to grow up in. They retired from farming in 2013. Larry preceded her in death on February 4, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Gloria remained on their farm and continued to be active with her grandchildren and her church. On Saturday, October 1, 2022, while surrounded by her children at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Gloria went to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 75 years, three months and four days.

Gloria was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was very involved in church life throughout her life singing in the choir, quilting for MIA, and as a member of the finance committee. She also served as President, Chaplain, and Treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary and volunteered at the Minnesota Veterans Home. When she wasn’t working or volunteering, Gloria enjoyed counted cross-stich, quilting, reading, and working on puzzles.

Gloria is survived by her son, Dallas (Tiffany) Boelman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter, Shelly (Wade) Popkes of Rock Rapids, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Tammy (Bob) Tuma of Northfield, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Jacob (Cora) Boelman, Matthew Boelman, Kalvin Popkes, Kurtis Popkes, Allison Boelman, Abigail Boelman, and Brecken Boelman; siblings, Ardyth Bowen of Luverne, Clifford (Gloria) Hansen of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Vivian Aarestad of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Raymond (Elaine) Hansen of Luverne; and sister-in-law, LaVonne (Ty) Reinke of Larchwood, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Boelman; sons, David and Troy Boelman; sister, Loretta Hansen; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Bowen and Sidney Aarestad; parents, Carl and Olga Hansen; and in-laws, William and Jennie Boelman.