John Bernard Boettcher, age 80, passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Willow Lane Assisted Living in Appleton.
He was born August 16, 1941 in Green Bay, the younger son of Everett and Clara (Duchow) Boettcher. He attended Sunnybrook School and Weyauwega High School, where he played the flute in band, was active in drama, and ran track (half-mile) for four years. He attended Spencerian College of Business, Milwaukee. On April 29, 1961, he married Kay Koehler at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fremont. They enjoyed fifty-two years together. John was employed by Elm Tree Bakery and General Electric Supply Company (Appleton). He served in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army from 1966-69. Following his honorable discharge, he was employed by Aid Association for Lutherans for twenty-seven years, retiring in 1996. He then worked as a computer consultant, troubleshooting the Y2K problem at several companies in central Wisconsin, and operated a landscaping service in Greenville. After living briefly in Eatontown, NJ, and Honolulu, HI, during the Vietnam War, John and Kay returned to the Fox Valley. They designed and built their own home in Greenville, where they lived after 1970 and planted many trees. He joined Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville the year after it was chartered, and served on the board and as trustee. John enjoyed traveling around the US with his family and made one special trip to Europe in 2007. John was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life, and made many recreational trips to Canada and Minnesota with family and friends. He was always pleased to recruit volunteers to assist his wife on Girl Scout Cookie Day, or to give blood. His family, friends and neighbors remember that John never refused a request for help. He particularly looked forward to spending time with his granddaughters doing art projects, solving puzzles and watching birds and wildlife. He was fascinated by old farm machinery and enjoyed outings with the Fox Valley Two Cylinder Club.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernard and Ida (Kiesow) Duchow and Herman and Martha (Krueger) Boettcher; his parents, his godmother, Frena (Duchow) Pagel, and his beloved wife, Kay. He will be missed by his children, Susan Boettcher (Greenville) and Michael (Stacy) Boettcher (Fremont); two grandchildren, Alexandria and Bryna; his brother, Carl (Doris Tetzlaff) Boettcher (Iola); his nieces and nephews, many cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 12 (noon) at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, N1615 Meadowview Dr., Greenville. Rev. Chad Starfeldt will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment with military honors will be held on Friday, November 5, at 11:30 in East Bloomfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial fund has been established for Willow Lane Assisted Living, 350 W. Elsner Rd., Appleton, WI 54913. The Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont is assisting the family with arrangements.
The Boettchers would like to thank everyone who supported John during his decline, especially Stanley Buman and Tom Becher; “senior helpers” Cynthy and Gina; Dr. Oetken and Nurses Amy and Angela at Primary Care Associates; Sue Coyle / Coyle Care Management, Moments Hospice, and the superb and caring staff at Willow Lane.