JOHN E. “JACK” BOEHLER
A Mass of Christian Burial for John E. “Jack” Boehler will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Father Maurice Current officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery at Orleans with Military Honors provided by the Orleans Harold Morin American Legion Post #184 in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps Funeral Honors Team.
The Mass will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033954344066
John Edwin “Jack” Boehler, 90 years of age, of Orleans, passed away, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. Jack was born in Orleans on March 5, 1932, the youngest of four children, born to Joseph John and Loretta Marie (Fuller) Boehler. He grew up on the family farm known as “Mockingbird Hill” between Orleans and Alma. He received his primary education at the Midway School District #76 east of Orleans and then graduated from Orleans High School with the class 1948.
Jack pursued higher education from Texas Western in El Paso, Texas. He then attended one semester at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, before enlisting in the Marines.
On January 11, 1951, Jack entered into active duty with the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a decorated veteran and was honorably discharged from Camp Pendleton, California, on January 10, 1954.
On August 4, 1955, Jack was united in marriage to Janice Karen Bantam at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orleans and to this union four children were born: J.J., Rex, Deb, and Kim. The couple made their home on the original Boehler farm that was purchased by Jack’s grandparents, Conrad and Amelia. Jack was proud to accept the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Award for 100 years of continuous ownership in 1994. Jack’s true passions were the feedlots, family, and farming.
Jack’s career with cattle started over 65 years ago, when he became a bonded order buyer, and he and his son, Rex bought cattle from 28 different states, Mexico, and Canada. In later years, Jack and a group of investors started Harlan Feeders, east of Orleans. Jack served as the President of the Harlan Feeders for 50 years, and later acquired Dawson Feeders in 1993.
Jack was preceded in death by: his parents; one brother, Conrad “Connie” Boehler and his wife, June; two sisters: Margaret “Peggy” Brown and her husband, Dr. Kenneth Brown; and Josephine “Jody” Gehley and husband, Frank.
Jack is survived by, his four children: J.J. Boehler of Orleans; Rex Boehler of Omaha, Nebraska; Debra Waggoner and her husband, Rich of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Kim Lueking and her husband, John of Oxford; twelve grandchildren: Kerry Spence and husband, Brandon; Jenny Jo Boehler; Joe Boehler; Max Boehler and wife, Alexa; Burke Boehler; Brady Nyberg; and Jessica Miller; Jake Waggoner; Nick Waggoner and wife, Jillian; Luke Waggoner and wife, Sherri; Darcy Bahensky and husband, Ross; and Taylor Lueking and wife, Jordan; fifteen great-grandchildren: Jack Spence; Braylin Pettit; Emmitt Johnson; Alexa, Owen, and Oliver Miller; Lark, Blythe and Ethel Boehler; Penelope and Sam Waggoner; Georgianna and Leo Bahensky; Sage and Emerson Lueking; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orleans.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
A memorial has been established in Jack’s honor, and kindly suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.
