Lifelong Otis rancher, Jerry Boe, lost his battle with cancer on July 4th, 2022. Jerry spent the last three months in-and-out of the hospital and the final month in hospice. He was in great pain from the tumors on his spine.
Lewis Gerald Boe Jr. was born March 12, 1942, to Lewis and Bernice Boe. Jerry attended Otis school and graduated with the class of 1960. He grew up on the ranch south of Otis, helping his dad and getting into mischief as most boys do.
After graduating, Jerry and a friend we’re working on a construction crew building a dam in Oregon, when they received word they had been drafted. They had one week to get home and report to duty. Jerry entered into service on February 26, 1964. After basic training, Jerry was sent to Germany instead of Vietnam. Jerry was stationed in Schweinfort, Germany Company, 2nd battalion, 64th Armor Division, and fulfilled his commitment to Uncle Sam, where he was honorably discharged charged in 1966.
Upon returning home, Jerry met and married Darlene Himes on June 14th, 1967. They made their home south of Otis on the ranch where they spent the next 55 years together.
Jerry and Darlene enjoyed traveling and made yearly trips to the National Western Stock Show, Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Waverly Iowa Draft Horse Sale.
Jerry and Darlene Love their Belgian draft horses and over 50 years acquired an extensive collection of horse drawn equipment and wagons. All were restored or built by Jerry. Jerry was truly proud of his collection.
Jerry was one of the founding members of the “Old Thresher’s Group” in Yuma Colorado and was a key member in getting the new site secured and all the buildings moved in and restored. Old Thresher’s wouldn’t be what it is today without Jerry’s hard work and vision. Jerry went on yearly trail drives with his draft horses in Nebraska and Colorado, making lots of friends along the way. Jerry was famous for creating a little excitement when things were getting dull. He was always on the go taking care of his cattle and fences and always building and fixing something.
Darlene remembers Terry Kuecke saying, “Jerry Boe has one gear and that’s high gear!”
Jerry’s heart was as true and honest as one’s heart could be. What he should be remembered for most is his willingness to lend a hand to a neighbor in need. He’d be the first one to drop what he was doing and load up his panels and help gather and load cattle, or bring his ladder and tools to help prepare a friend’s barn. Jerry was from the old school when neighbors helped neighbors and didn’t ask for anything in return. For all who knew him, we will hold the memories close to our hearts and we will miss Jerry dearly.
Left to mourn is his wife Darlene, sister Ann Welsh, cousin Terry and Mike Holsclaw, sister-in-law Marilyn and husband Benny Clawson, and numerous family and friends and his best buddy Patrick Shafer.
A special thank you to the nurses at the Yuma hospital and hospice who took care of him, for all their exceptional care.
Graveside services were held at the Otis Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
2022-07-15