Arvin Boetcher

Arvin E. Boetcher, 78, of rural Augusta, passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 2018.
Arvin Ewald Boetcher, son of Ewald and Lydia (Strauch) Boetcher was born Jan. 21, 1940, and was raised with his sister on the family farm in Garfield Township, Jackson County. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, attended Requa Country School and graduated from Osseo High School. Arvin was united in marriage to Sara Thompson on June 18, 1960 at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church. The couple began their life together in Kenosha where he had worked at American Motors. They returned to Osseo where he worked for United Milk Products and for the Osseo Condensery before taking a job with Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company in Dec. of 1965. Arvin was with Uniroyal until the Eau Claire plant closed in June of 1992. After the closing he started with Mid West Farm Supply of Osseo and worked in all areas of the business. He also enjoyed driving for Radix of Eau Claire, where he delivered veterinarian supplies to clinics in central Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Before finally retiring he had also work at Nortech Industries in Augusta.
Arvin enjoyed spending time with his family. He tried his best to attend all of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school activities. He was active with the Local United Rubber Worker’s Union, having served as union steward. He volunteered with the Osseo Boy Scouts and was proud of the fact that his sons and grandson Matthew became Eagle Scouts with grandson Nicholas to achieve that rank in the coming months. With them he participated in the scouting trips to the Boundary Waters and to the State and National Scouting Jamborees. He was a member of the Osseo Rod and Gun Club, served on the Osseo City Council and as Council President, served on the Osseo Ev. Lutheran Church Council, had been a member of the Osseo Masonic Lodge, and the Eau Claire Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Arvin was a true outdoorsman who loved fishing, pontooning, duck, deer, pheasant and turkey hunting.
In 1998, Arvin and Sara sold their home in Osseo and moved to their home on Lake Eau Claire, rural Augusta. He loved entertaining at the lake and took great pleasure in cooking and grilling up delicious food for everyone, with his specialty being “beer can” chicken. Arvin was an avid NASCAR fan as well as his love for the Packers and Badgers and Brewers.
Arvin and Sara also enjoyed the many trips that they took together and the lasting friendships they made along the way.
Arvin will be deeply missed by Sara, his loving wife of nearly 58 years; daughter, Allyson (Dennis) Barka of Eau Claire; 2 sons, Steven (Jeri) Boetcher of Hastings, MN, and David Boetcher of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Matthew Boetcher, Abigail (Josh) Kohn, Laura and Nicholas Barka; sister Marian Chinnock of Eau Claire; aunt Phyllis Strauch of Fall Creek; nieces Susan (Todd) Philips and Terri (Mark) Jacoby; several cousins; other relatives and canine buddy Ellie. Arvin was preceded in death by his parents, Ewald and Lydia; Sara’s parents, Soren and Lillian Thompson; brother-in-law, Gene Chinnock; and canine friends Amber, Molly and Sophie.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pastor Terry Lorenz officiated. Burial was in the Osseo Cemetery. A visitation was held Sunday afternoon at the church. The family was assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.