Ilene V Boeckel

Ilene Violet Boeckel, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 29, 2013, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E. Ave. C, Bismarck, with Rev. Wes Aardahl officiating. Interment will be at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan at a later date. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a time of sharing at 6:30 p.m. Ilene was born in Beulah on March 9, 1932, to Jacob and Magdalena Sailer Teske. She learned about hard work and sacrifice at an early age, growing up on a farm with her five brothers and six sisters. Ilene met her husband Robert Bob Boeckel on a blind date and he was taken with her gentle soul and amazing smile. On October 28, 1951, Bob and Ilene were married and soon after they started building their family. Ilene was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. During her first serious illness, she confided in a friend that all she wanted was to be able to see her boys grow up. Amazingly, she was able to do that and so much more. She was the proudest grandmother anyone could imagine, spoiling all of her grandchildren by making their favorite foods, playing hours of board games, and sharing her pure love. Ilene traveled the world through her passion for reading and passed that gift to her children and grandchildren. Ilene derived great joy from sharing her cooking and baking talents with family and friends, and cherished any opportunity to bring people together. Her German cuisine, baked goods, and pickles were, quite simply, unmatched. Many people were gifted with the bounties of her flower and vegetable gardens, that she and Bob lovingly tended together for many years. The essence of Ilene's life was selfless service to others. She was a loyal friend who knew how to listen without judgment. Ilene shared her time and talents through many volunteer activities, including leading her church altar guild, styling hair at the nursing home, and donating her great food and fine craftwork whenever it would help a cause. She also loved her work in the Bismarck Public Schools lunch program. Although Ilene had many health struggles, those around her marveled at the uncommon grace with which she accepted her challenges. As her health declined, she was blessed with an abundance of family and friends who supported and loved her unconditionally. Her deep and abiding faith also carried her through difficult days. Ilene's life is a true reflection of God's love at work. Ilene is survived by her husband, Bob; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brant and Jane, and Craig and Marty; four grandchildren, Jennifer Boeckel Corey, Oliver Boeckel, Sarah Baso Adam, and Josh Vallely Sarah; one great-grandchild, Lauren Vallely; one sister and brother-in-law, Ardena and Gerry Alderin; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughter Debra, five brothers Herb, Theophil, Richard, Calvin, and Reinholt and five sisters Olga Wolf, Tillie Wiedrich-Oster, Elsie Jaeger, Ruth Kienzle, and Hulda Teske. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Ilene V Boeckel

March 9, 1932 - August 29, 2013