Ronald Boe

Ronald Gene Boe, age 79, of Moorhead, MN, passed away unexpectantly on Monday March 13, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.  

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank.  Rev. Justin Neugebauer will officiate. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial in the Milbank City Cemetery will be at a later date. The service will be livestreamed and recorded and viewable below this obituary.

Ron was born on November 28, 1943, in Milbank, SD to Hans and Vera (Jibben) Boe.  He grew up on the family farm near Twin Brooks and attended Twin Brooks Country School #4 East through the 8^th grade, where he was active in 4-H.  He attended Milbank High School where he was a star Bulldog football, basketball, and track athlete and also played American Legion baseball.  He was part of the Coach Rollie Greeno football dynasty and its 44 game winning streak (still a state 11 man football record).  He earned All State Football and MVP basketball honors.  He was also a Boy’s State delegate, Senior Class President and FFA President.  He graduated from Milbank High School in 1961. 

Following graduation, he attended Augustana College for one year on an athletic scholarship where he played football, basketball and track.  He returned home to help with the family farm after the sudden death of his father in 1962.  He was a devoted son to his mother until her death in 2006.

He met the love of his life, Sandra Nelson, and they were married on June 5, 1965, at American Lutheran Church in Milbank.  Ron and Sandy lived on the family farm and were blessed with their daughter, Stacey, in 1966.  Ron left farming in late 1967 and began his agricultural career with the GTA Elevator in Milbank. The family moved to Crofton, NE in June of 1968 when Ron became the manager of Farmer’s Union Coop Association there.  They returned to Milbank in September of 1969 where Ron worked in sales for the GTA Line Elevator Division. They welcomed their son, Ryan, who was born in 1972.  The family moved to Montevideo, MN in 1973, where Ron became a Territory Manager with GTA.  He was transferred back to the Milbank area in 1976.

Ron worked in agricultural sales and management for over 25 years, traveling the tri-state area and earning many awards.  He served as a Territory Manager for several companies including GTA Feeds/Harvest States, Hubbard Milling Company, and Cargill.  Ron and Sandy enjoyed many trips that Ron earned through his work.  His job took him on the road most days, and he was proud of the fact that he never had an accident, speeding ticket or hit a deer. Even though he traveled with his job, he made it a top priority to be home for all his children’s activities.  Following his agricultural career, he began a second career in financial services in 1996 where he became a District Representative for Lutheran Brotherhood Financial Services and later on as an Account Executive with Minnwest Bank in Ortonville, MN.  Following retirement, he became a licensed agent at the Trevor Cramer American Family Insurance Agency and later worked part time at Valley Implement, Hanson Furniture and Sturdevant’s Auto Parts.  He was also a charter member of the Milbank Jaycee’s and a member of the Ortonville Kiwanis.

Ron was a man of strong faith and a lifelong member of American Lutheran Church in Milbank where he was baptized and confirmed.  Ron and his parents were charter members of this church, which was founded in 1947.  Ron was actively involved in the church as a Sunday School Teacher, Luther League Guide, Confirmation Teacher, Usher, Lector, Men’s Group and Bible Study and also served a number of terms on the Church Council and as President of the Congregation.   

Ron was a kind, patient, selfless and loving man. He loved spending time outdoors; fishing, hunting, gardening and golf.  He never met anyone he didn’t consider a friend.  He was always there for his friends and neighbors who needed a helping hand whether it was a ride to a hospital, medical appointment, taking meals to them or spending time with them in nursing homes.  

He was most proud of his family, who were the center of his world.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  Ron was a wonderful father and an amazing role model for his children.  He was always there for them and supported them at all of their activities and events.  He coached Ryan in city league basketball.  The family enjoyed many family camping trips in the family camper and enjoyed vacations together. He loved spending time with his grandchildren; attending many of their soccer games, football games, baseball games, basketball games and other activities.  He also taught many of the grandkids how to drive and play golf.  He looked forward to having the grandkids come for their summer stays where he planned many adventures for them.   

Ron and Sandy enjoyed their retirement years; volunteering, traveling, spending time with family and taking nine winter vacations to Florida which became their “happy place”. They were blessed to renew their wedding vows when they celebrated their 50^th anniversary with their family and would have celebrated 58 years of marriage in June.  After 46 years in Milbank, Ron and Sandy decided to leave Milbank and moved to Moorhead to be closer to family in the summer of 2022.  They enjoyed spending more time with their family in Fargo and Lakeville. 

Left to cherish Ron’s memory are his beloved wife, Sandy of Moorhead, MN; children, Stacey (Mark) Tschider of Fargo, ND; Ryan (Amanda) of Lakeville, MN; seven grandchildren: Alex (Jenna) Tschider, Nick Tschider, Evan Tschider, Nathan Boe, Lincoln Boe, Gavin Boe and Elayna Boe; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Boe Tschider. Ron is also survived by his siblings; Lois (Duane) Nearman and Richard (Janice) Boe, both of Sioux Falls, SD and Sandy (Roland) Anderson, of Grand Blanc, MI and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Effa Mae Nelson.