Margaret "Marge" Boelke

Margaret R. Boelke, 97, of Wahpeton, ND, died Friday August 24th, 2018 at CHI St. Francis Nursing Home, Breckenridge, MN. Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. With visitation from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Interment will be at St. Phillips Catholic Cemetery, Hankinson, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Margaret (Marge) Rose Boelke, was born on June 9th, 1921 in North Dakota to Gertrude and Joseph Bolwerick. Losing her mother when she was four years old, Marge was invited to live with her aunt and uncle. She was surrounded by four sisters and two brothers as she grew up. This would have a lasting impact on Marge that defined her generous and humble personality.

Working hard while living on the farm and being in school gave Marge a positive work hard attitude. She enjoyed playing the clarinet when she was in high school band. After graduating from high school she went on to get her certification as a Maître D’. Her career brought her to Wahpeton, ND and she met Gerald Boelke.  The two were united in marriage in Breckenridge, MN. Being by her husband’s side, she lived with Gerald and his family on the Boelke family farm.

Nothing was more important to Marge then being a caring mother. They were blessed with three boys: Jerome, Paul and James. Drawing from personal experience from her early life, Marge was able to provide her family with unquestionable love, attention, dedication as well as patience. Everyone was welcome in her home (as long as they stayed and had a full meal). Making sure everyone was fed she had all 4 stove top burners going at the same time, as well as the oven, during all hours of the day. She enjoyed conversation and always seemed to know exactly the right thing to say when someone was in doubt or just needed someone to listen.

It was the little things that made Marge truly special. She embodied the family farm life. While Gerald and the boys were working. She made sure the house was clean and there was food on the table. The beds were ready for anyone that wished to stay the night.

Family and friends called her Marge, and Marge never had a bad thing to say about anyone.  Her kindness and love for the people in her life brought out the best in everyone. Two special women in her life were Lorraine Church, who had a special place for Marge in her heart, and Eileen Boelke, whom Marge considered not a ‘daughter in law’, but her very own daughter.

Marge is survived by her three sons, James (Eileen) Boelke, Paul Boelke and Jerome Boelke; three grandsons, John Boelke, David (Heidi) Boelke, and Douglas (Wendi) Boelke; and six great–grandchildren Cassie Boelke, Abby Boelke, Hunter Boelke, Christian Boelke, Kate Boelke, and Dylan Boelke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude and Joseph Bolwerick; her husband, Gerald Boelke; and daughter-in-law, Juanita Boelke.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff, especially Carol Nation, of St. Francis Nursing Home, Breckenridge, MN.

Margaret's Memorial Folder