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Donald Boxmeyer Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Boxmeyer
Sandy (Hollering)
April 20, 2009
Dear Kathy and Family,
Don and I were in same class at Monroe High School. He was a good friend to all, great sense of humour. When he me you, Cathy, he told me, "The first time that I saw Cathy, I knew that she was the girl for me!"
A kind person, wonderful friend, we will miss Don.
Best wishes Cathy, to you and your family.
Sandy (Hollering)
Boop V
January 17, 2009
Memory is the one gift from God that death cannot destroy..
Loretta Krumwiede Barlow
October 3, 2008
I never actually got to meet Don, though we both are members of the Krumwiede family, and I always feel the loss of a family member -- especially one with whom I share an interest in history and also employment at a newspaper. Rest in peace, Don. May the family be comforted in the hope given in Christ's resurrection.
Jim Mueller
August 25, 2008
Our condolences. First knew Don as a kid, from our chuch, St. Pete's at Armstrong and Victoria. then also at Monroe, as a Navy vet, and of course through his columns. He was a special guy.
Mary (Stedje) Kirby
August 20, 2008
Kathy and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
August 19, 2008
I always read any column with Boxmeyer as the author. I was never disappointed by the the article. I read these words recently and they seemed to fit " The Box " Its not about waiting for the storm to end , but learning how to dance in the rain . I believe he knew how to dance in the rain.
Mike Strobel
August 18, 2008
Erik,
Sorry for your loss! Donny was the best.
Love ya brother,
Mike Strobel
Robin (Roy) Wren
August 16, 2008
To Chris, Diana and the rest of the Boxmeyer family,
We were so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I'm not sure how long it's been since we've seen you. We wanted to send our sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Take Care, Robin and Renee (Roy) former East Siders.
Ike Larsen
August 16, 2008
Donald Harold, and the entire Boxmeyer and Carle Clan,
The Boxmeyers are one of the greatest families in the world, and their strength, compassion, unity and perserverence through this unfortunate time will never be forgotten. Thanks Don for reintroducing many of us on a weekly basis to the friends we all know. Thanks Don for reuniting us to the places and things we might have forgotten. Thanks Don for rejuvenating the spirits that sometimes seemed lost. And thanks Don for reinviting us into this cherished life that we may sometimes lose sight of.
God Bless!
Shirley McDonough
August 15, 2008
My deepest sympathy to you Kathy and all of your family, I remember you and Don from Monroe High School. I remember when Don was with the winter carnival vulcan's and I was down town St Paul near the highway building and I was going to apply for a job, Don had all of the black stuff on lhis face, and I told him that I was going to apply for a job, so don't get me dirty, but he did anyway. My face was so black and I did not get the job. He left you with so many memories and so many friends.
Shirley (Newton) McDonough
White Bear Lake, MN
Richard Auld
August 15, 2008
Without Don Boxmeyer's writings I would have no idea of the wonderful ethnic history of St. Paul. He will be sorely missed.
JOHN COCHRANE
August 14, 2008
Don was a bright talented columnist and an institution in St. Paul- Many a lunch with the Payne Ave gang. Future historians writing about St. Paul will find a rich source of material in Don's colums. He was a friend and will be missed. John A.Cochrane-Naples, Fl.
Laurie Hirte
August 14, 2008
I have always enjoyd the Boxmeyer columns as they were so much about our St. Paul lives. I worked with his neice Kathy Schwartz and Al (her husband) was once my supervisor at 3M, so I learned more of the family history and really enjoyed the stories about Don and the family . My condolences to Kathy and her entire family -to loose a loved one is always a hard thing. Our best to everybody.
D Primeau
August 14, 2008
Thanks for the great stories about the Eastside.
Eastsider forever!
Rebecca Anderson (Fiebiger)
August 14, 2008
Erik and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Don. I never really knew Don on a personal level, but I did know Erik and if your children are a direct reflection of whom you are, then Don was a phenomenal person all around! Don is the reason I started reading the paper as a young adult. I use to avoid it, as there is always so much sad news out there, but Don would always have something to interest me, make me laugh or just sit back and think.
My heart goes out to the Boxmeyer family.
Mary Myers
August 14, 2008
Kathy and family, I was blessed to have Don take me under his wing when I started working at the Pioneer Press in 1998. I loved hearing -- and reading -- his stories about St. Paul. He was always willing to talk about stories that I covered and offer suggestions. There was nothing better than getting an e-mail from Box after one of my stories had run. Can I share one of my favorites? This was one he sent me last year after I wrote a piece on Lumberjack Days in Stillwater. It was headlined "HOW MANY WENT TO FEST? HOW MANY, UM, WENT?//PORTABLE TOILETS OFFER BEST CROWD ESTIMATE FOR LUMBERJACK DAYS "
Mary -- Your mastery at capturing the full, rich essence of a story continues to render me misty-eyed. I envy your effluent command of the language and your pungent ability to wring all the flavor of a subject out in a seamless flow.....box
ps: I hope you're not going anywhere else......
I'm going to miss e-mails like those, and I'm going to miss reading his beautiful columns. He was one in a million.
Mary Divine Myers
St. Paul, Minn.
August 14, 2008
I was sorry to hear of Don's passing. I really enjoyed his writing and keeping the old neighborhoods alive, if only in memory.
EastSideSteph
Jo Ann Hardy
August 14, 2008
I never met Don in person, but I've read and enjoyed his column and stories for many many years. St. Paul has lost a very dear friend. My sincere condolences to his family.
Fran Conner (Wosika)
August 14, 2008
Our sympathy goes to all Don's family. I remember him from Adams grade school. Our mothers were both involved in PTA. We looked forward to reading his columns--he really did have a knack for writing.
Bob King
August 14, 2008
Dear Kathy and Family,
Remember Don for all of the joy that he brought to you and to others that he reached through the pages of the Pioneer Press. I had the good fortune of meeting Don in Kindergarten at Adams school, and being associated with him from then on. Always positive, always a person who saw the silver lining and always a person who cared very much for the other guy. My prayers are with you all at this sad time in your lives. Best regards, Bob King
The Morphew Family
August 14, 2008
We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a gentle-spirited humanist. One of the primary reasons our family faithfully subscribed to the Pioneer Press for the past three decades was the joy we received from reading Don Boxmeyer's columns. We have dulled many a scizzors, cutting out those columns that were particularly moving, or especially funny, or uniqely eloquent. He was witty, inspiritional, and promoted reflection and appreciation of the small experiences in day-to-day life in St. Paul. That was a true achievement in this frenetic, histrionic "infotainment" world of ours, which frequently ignores the daily life experiences that make it all worthwhile. Our sincere condolences are with the Boxmeyer family and all those whose lives were sweetened by this wonderful gentleman.
Karen Tero
August 14, 2008
This is a copy of the e-mail I sent to Don last February. He will be missed as he touched many lives throughout his journey in this life.
From: "Karen Tero"
To: "Don Boxmeyer"
Subject: Polish American Club
Date: Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:08 AM
Read your article this morning regarding the Polish American Club on Arcade Street. Having lived part of my life on the east side of St. Paul, I'm familiar with the club and have been there for various events. Your skills in "telling the story" is always to be admired. It was an accurate portrayal of an east side landmark. You always trigger lots of memories for me. So, thanks for sharing the history and telling the story.
Regards from Karen at Big Sandy Lake
Larry Struck
August 14, 2008
Our condolences for the loss of a special man. When Don wrote a piece in 2000 about our sailing trip, Debra Axness and I knew we had made a new friend. St. Paul won't be the same without him, but was made better by his life there.
aboard S/V Debonair
Grenada, West Indies
Jo Borchers
August 14, 2008
I never met Don, but he was a great reason to read the St. Paul paper. There is a great deal of negative stuff in the news, and he made it a pleasure to read about real people who love and laugh and live. We thank him.
JEFF ROBERTS
August 14, 2008
KATHY,DON WAS ONE OF THE FINEST MEN I HAVE KNOWN.I SHALL MISS HIS WRITING,HUMOR,AND COMPASSION.NOW THAT HE IS UP THERE,PERRY THE PRINTER HAS A JOB AGAIN .MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Bob and Barbara Pagel
August 14, 2008
Dear Kathy and family, When I think of you and Don, I think of when we first met. You were living on Westminster, I believe. Matt Schwartz had referred you to me and we talked about your insurance. I recall Don telling me about serving with the U S Navy in the Antarctic. I always enjoyed Don's stories in the paper. You have a great family, the Carles and Boxmeyers. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mat Handrahan (Son of Richard and Donna)
August 13, 2008
Our families were great neighbors for a number of years. Though I was little when I lived next to the Boxmeyers, I remember Don vividly as a friendly and caring person. Few neighbors are remembered as Don and the family have been. He will be greatly missed, and thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Connie Peterson
August 13, 2008
To the Boxmeyer Family –
Don touched the hearts of so many people with his writings. I know he touched the hearts of all of our family. He wrote a story about my sister (Virginia [Ginger] Hetrick) and her dying wish in 2000. Her wish was to come back to St. Paul and have a Thank You for Being in my Life party for all her family and friends. With the help of the Dream Foundation her wish came true. There were activities for my sister the whole week she was here. Part of the activities was Don and Kathy took our entire immediate family (about 35 of us) out to dinner – thanks to an anonymous benefactor. Meeting Don for the first time was like I’d known him for a long time. He was so down to earth and such a gracious host. The article in the paper is something I’ll keep forever along with the many memories of that final family dinner. Don will live in the hearts of so many forever, especially the Navarro Family.
My condolences to the Boxmeyer family. May time and the many memories sustain you during this very difficult period.
vic st.martin
August 13, 2008
I met Don when I coached his son Erik in hockey at Johnson High School. He was a great hockey parent and a tremendous journalist. My condolences go to Kathy, Chris, Erik & Diana. Your husband & father was a wonderful man.
Best regard's, Vic St.Martin
Bill Buth
August 13, 2008
The presses are running in the heavens as Box was born to write. Legions will miss a very unique individual. He was the best. Peace to you and your family.
Margaret Kneer
August 13, 2008
To the Boxmeyers,
My very heartfelt sympathy to all of you. I have always had the deepest respect and affection for Don. Beyond being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, Don had enormous compassion for those he wrote about and for his community.
Jim and Connie Durose
August 13, 2008
To know Don is to admire him. He was always accessible, always engaged and always attentive to us. Our deepest sympathy to Kathy and to the entire extended family. May Don's good example continue to inspire us.
John & Betty Bruender
August 13, 2008
We are thankful that Don had four more years in his life because of our brother Joe's donation of his kidney/liver to Don.
Bruce & Carolyn Olein
August 13, 2008
We loved Don and we know he had a wonderful productive life. He enjoyed many things. We remember him from way back when we were all still dateing and going sledding over at Como. Many fond memories, we remember your visit to Penna. and looking all around for the octagon barns and all the sights. Give our love to all of your family , Kathy.
MARION Taylor
August 13, 2008
I remember the great time we had with Don and Kathy in Rhode Island a number of years ago.
God Bless you and your family. Don was a wonderful guy.
Geri Stawnychy
August 13, 2008
To all of the Box's,
Don was a very nice man and I know you all have great memories. Cherish those memories and it will make the hard days ahead a little easier. Our thoughts are with you.
Geri & Mike Stawnychy
August 13, 2008
To the Boxmeyer family,
You have our deepest sympathy & condolences at this time with the loss of your husband, father & grandfather, and a friend to many.
"When you love someone, put their name in a circle because, hearts can break but circles go on forever." Don will be forever in you family circle.
Sincerely, Marilyn & Russ Tacheny
(Nicole's Mom & Dad)
Jacki Hippe
August 12, 2008
Kathy, Diana, Chris, and Eric -
We our so saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Vicki & Mark Seidl
August 12, 2008
Oh Don, so many connections throughout your life that interweave with others . Thank you for coming into my life when I was young, naive college suburban girl that you worked with at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in the late 1970's with your niece Dawn. I dated and then married an east sider that only you could verify all of the "Leave it to Beaver Stories" and "Mod Squad Stories". You truly are a legend and we appreciate all of you and wish for an easy ride in your 2nd life--just don't work for the Strib! Thanks to your son, Chris in sharing your life with us! Our prayers are with you and your family!
Jon Nalty
August 12, 2008
My deepest sympathy for your loss! Don will be dearly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. To this day, I have kept the article he wrote about my Johnson High School psychology class/fish experiment. We were given the task of taking care of fish, and I decided to name mine Wayne Gretzky & Mark Messier...and decorated the tank as a hockey rink. I think it was articles about everyday happenings like this, along with Don's unique delivery of the story, that elevated his journalism above others. May God grant your family the grace needed in this difficult time.
Dane Smith
August 12, 2008
Humility and kindness defined him and he wrote with uncommon style and grace. It was a blessing to have known Box and to work with him, and to have his great stories of St. Paul's "regular people'' on the record for all time.
Marlin Bree
August 12, 2008
To Don, who is on a new voyage:
May your boat always dance on sunlit seas and may you always have a brisk, pleasant wind at your back.
From a fellow boater
Kim Lancman
August 12, 2008
Kathy, Chris, Eric & Diana & Family, We were so sorry to hear of Don's passing, he was a great man and now his memory will live on in all of you, he was so good to our Uncle Jim and now they are together once again.
May God grant you all peace knowing that your Dad is no longer in any pain or suffering and that he lived a great life.
Love,
The Fabeck Family
LeRoy Looser (class of 57)
August 12, 2008
Don will be missed. He was always a hilight at our second thursday Monroe graduates gatherings. I feel that a lot of the history of Saint Paul has left us and will always cherish his friendship. My condolences to the entire family and anyone whose life Don touched.
Alice (Gaiovnik) Alsen
August 12, 2008
Kathy - My condolences to you and your family. We have lost a wonderful man too soon, he will be sorely missed.
Brian Hanmer
August 12, 2008
To Chris,Eric,Diana and Family,My deepest Sympathy goes out to you in such challenging times.DOn was a great Friend,father and Husband and will be missed by all.My Family,and My self hope that you accept this,and May god watch over him and your family.RIP old friend,and Neighbor.Sincerly,Brian Hanmer,Craig Hanmer,and Family
August 12, 2008
Kathy and family,
The world lost a gentle man and St. Paul its chronicler. Bob and Penny Whereatt
Devoted PP reader
August 12, 2008
I pretty much grew up reading Don's columns as he was my parents favorite. He will be sadly missed by the many people he didn't even realize he touched through out the years. My prayers to the family.
Terri Gosselin
August 12, 2008
Kathy and family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Don. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Don will be deeply missed.
August 12, 2008
Ididn"t know Don too well but send my sympathy to Kathy and family
I enjoyd reading his articles in the paper and will miss them in time to come
I was a friend of Mary Westman who knew Doand always updated me on his conditioin
Prayers for you and your family
May Don rest in peace
Mary Christianson\805 Wildwood road apt 317 Mahtomedi Minn 55115
A Former East Sider
August 12, 2008
I mourn the loss of this East Side journalistic icon. My condolences to the family.
Catherine (Transplant clinic)
August 12, 2008
To Kathy and Family:
It was such an honor and a blessing to be able to know what a wonderful man Don was. I will miss him deeply. Love to you all.
A. L.
August 12, 2008
I remember meeting Don only once. It was in fourth grade. I am now 26 years old. He made that much of an inpact on me! He was a nice guy that loved to write and talk about his career. I found all of that out in the 1 hour I seen him in my lifetime, at Highwood Hills Elementary.
I am sure he has touched many lives, as he did mine.
Bless your family in their time of need.
Len and Pat Nalty
August 12, 2008
Kathy, Chris, Erik and Diana. We are so sad for your loss. We will remember Don for all he brought to the city of St Paul through his writings. Len of course through Monroe High School and Len and I both for all the fun hockey times on the East Side.
We will pray for your strength during this most difficult time.
Len and Pat Nalty
Dan Frye
August 12, 2008
I have enjoyed reading Don's works throughout my life, and just noticed that in the picture of him in the Navy, my son bears a strong resemblance; you can always tell a Boxmeyer, but you can't tell him much! (Don was my Dad's cousin)
He will be very much missed. God Bless and comfort you all.
Sue Casey
August 12, 2008
I loved reading Don's columns on-line. I felt it kept me in touch with my hometown. It also made me realize how much I loved and missed it.
I have so many memories of Don and the Boxmeyer family, all wonderful. My prayers are with you all.
The ND and MN families of Marge Chrysler-Forsberg
August 12, 2008
Kathy -
As always you are in our thoughts and prayers...especially at this time. We are sure Don was greeted in heaven with his favorite tune. He will never be forgotten...a wonderful man and beautiful soul.
Susan Gunderson
August 12, 2008
My condolences to the Boxmeyer family. It has been our privilege at LifeSource to get to know Don, hear his wonderful stories and celebrate his zest for life, following his organ transplant. Grateful for the gifts of organ donors, Don was an inspiraton for so many. We will miss him.
Susan Gunderson
LifeSource
Sharon Anderson
August 12, 2008
30 yrs ago Box was the greatest court house reporter,Legacy via his writings much appreciated,
Kim Haggerty
August 12, 2008
Dear Kathy and Family,
Sorry for your loss. Don was truly a genuine nice man. Enjoyed knowing him and listening to his stories. He loved his family very much and it shows in all of you.
My sympathy and thoughts are with you all, Kim
U of M 2A Staff
August 12, 2008
Dear Kathy and Family
Don was a special man, he will be remembered in special ways by all of us on 2A We will miss him. Our prayers go out to all of you at this very sad time.
Jim & Ida Shaffer
August 12, 2008
Really sorry to hear about Don. He was a great neighbor.
Pat Haggerty
August 12, 2008
To the entire Box family,
After Chris called on Sunday, the news took some time to sink in.
Since our time together at the PPress, I've been honored to say DBox was my colleague, mentor and most importantly my friend.
He was larger than life, and truly 'lived for his legacy'.
Needless to say, Don will be missed by many.
With that, I offer you this verse, inspired by an old Eskimo legend...
"Perhaps they are not the stars,
But rather openings in Heaven
Where the love of our lost ones pours through
And shines down upon us
To let us know they are happy."
With deepest sympathy in the loss of so bright a light.
Patti Larson (Yekaldo)
August 12, 2008
Kathy and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Katy '86 Johnson Grad
August 12, 2008
Sending prayers for peace as you manage through the loss of your husband and dad. You have many people on the East Side (and throughout St. Paul) grieving with you as we will miss his perspective and style when he wrote about the city he loved. I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Boxmeyer but he touched my life with every article. I was acquainted with Chris and Diana and my sincere condolences to you both.
Colleen Thuente
August 12, 2008
Kathy,
Don was such a good friend to many and I know he will be missed. My sympathy to you and your family.
Darla Garvey
August 12, 2008
Kathy,
Don helped me in so many ways. He encouraged me to believe in myself when I had doubts about being a writer. When I got sick, he offered support and kind words in an eloquent way only he could express. And he provided comic relief in the face of adversity. He did all this - extended himself - even though he wasn't feeling well. This made him an exceptional friend. One I will not forget. My heart goes out to you and your family at this time.
In sympathy,
Sean Kennedy
August 12, 2008
Reading Don's columns was like having a chat with a wonderful neighbor.
merrilyn enabnit
August 12, 2008
It was great knowing a fun, life loving man. He truly loved his family and remembered something about everyone he met.
Truly will be missed. A GREAT EAST SIDER!!! Merrrilyn Enabnit
PattiRai Rudolph
August 12, 2008
Don was a great friend of our family and my "extra big brother" my whole life. He was also a professional hero and mentor. To say I'll miss him doesn't even come close. Deepest condolences to Kathy, Diana, Chris, Erik and family.
August 12, 2008
Don will be missed by the throngs of readers that looked forward to and enjoyed his writing. He is entertaining those in the great beyond now. a greatful reader.
Glen Busitzky
August 12, 2008
Kathy and family,
I will sure miss Don! He is such an inspiration to so many. He shared his recent experiences in a way that encouraged us all. The Lord will meet your needs and carry you through it. We are praying for you in your loss.
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