Edsel Boe

Edsel "Ed" Boe, 91, Fargo, ND, formerly of Dickinson, ND, died Friday, November 30, 2012, in Touchmark at Harwood Groves, Fargo.

Edsel Ludwig Boe was born March 2, 1921, to Thomas and Edith (Anderson) Boe. He grew up on a farm near Cooperstown, ND, and graduated from Cooperstown HS. In 1939, he began college at North Dakota State University where he played football, basketball and ran track. He joined Theta Chi Fraternity. He completed two years at NDSU before his draft number was drawn. Ed was the first to be drafted in Griggs County, North Dakota. He enrolled in the Army and reported to Fort Snelling in 1942. After a short period with an anti-tank outfit, he transferred to the Army Air Force, where he worked as a sheet metal specialist repairing B-29 bombers. He served on the islands of Guam, Saipan and Tinian. On Guam, Ed helped to build the airstrip on which the Enola Gay landed prior to flying on to Japan. Ed was discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1946.

Ed returned to NDSU, where he met Martha Lou Krabbenhoft on a blind date. They married on March 22, 1949. Shortly after, Ed graduated from NDSU with a degree in Agricultural Education. He began a long, successful career as a county extension agent first in Carson, ND, and later in Langdon, ND. In 1950, Ed and Marty moved to Langdon where they raised five children. The family lived in Langdon until 1975 when they moved to Dickinson. Ed's beloved wife passed away in 2005.

Ed was very involved in his community. He served on the Joachim Regional Museum board and was very involved in helping to build the stabbur at Prairie Outpost Park. He participated in the Scandinavian Heritage group. His faith was important and he was an active member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dickinson. Ed greatly enjoyed singing in the church choir and as part of a barbershop chorus. He enjoyed meeting with his coffee klatsch regularly.

Ed will be remembered for his gardening skills and woodworking and carving abilities. He played cards and enjoyed travel. He was an avid NDSU Bison fan his entire life. He valued all of his friends and relationships throughout his life. Ed will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his quick wit and humor, and as a loving husband, father, and family man. He will be greatly missed.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Marty, and his son, Richard Boe.

He is survived by his children Merry (Gene) Manson, Fargo, Steven (Debra) Boe, Burnsville, MN, Philip (Laura) Boe, St. Paul, MN, and Douglas (Michelle) Boe, Platte City, MO; his grandchildren, Ross (Rochelle) Manson, Bart (Nicole) Manson, Brian (Jennifer) Manson, Jennifer (Jeremy Sayther) Boe, Kathryn Boe, Elizabeth Boe, Eric Boe, Emily Boe, and Calle Boe; and five great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his two sisters, Arla and Audry; and is survived by his only brother, Alvin Boe. He is also survived by his very good friend, Pearl Larson, who provided special companionship during Ed's last years in Dickinson.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th Street South #101, Fargo, ND 58103; and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir, 146 6th Avenue West, Dickinson, ND 58601.

Funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, December 3, 2012, in Touchmark.