Age 83, a resident of Shell Lake, WI, and formerly of White Bear Lake, MN and McGregor, MN, died Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Spooner Health System. Rodney was born on March 17, 1931, in Buffalo Lake, MN, to parents Louis and Alice (Burgstahler) Boehlke. Rodney graduated from Buffalo Lake High school in 1950, where he was active in sports, especially football. After graduation, he served in the U. S. Army from 1951 until 1953, during the Korean Conflict. Rodney went back to Minnesota State University Mankato and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, emphasis in English. While teaching in Granite Falls, MN, he met fellow teacher Carol Abraham. On June 22, 1957, they were united in marriage in Olivia, MN. After their marriage, they moved to Fosston, MN, where Rodney taught English for six years; they moved to White Bear Lake, MN, in 1964 where they raised their family. While an English teacher at St. Paul Johnson High School, he received his Master's degree in Education; taught Driver's Education; coached soccer, tennis, track, and downhill skiing. In 1967 Rodney began fulfilling his dream of building a lake cabin for his family and in 1990 they retired to that lake home on Big Sandy Lake near McGregor, MN. Rodney was an avid tennis player, hunter, and fisherman. He shared his passion for downhill skiing with his family. Rodney is survived by his wife Carol of Shell Lake, WI; daughters Laura (Bruce) Bray of Spooner, WI, Sara (Scott) Lounsbury of Duluth, MN, Karen (Mark) Wold of Savage, MN; grandchildren, Phillip (Clare), Rosemary, Julianne, and Benjamin Bray, Samuel (Catherine) and Caroline Lounsbury, Isabella, Ava, and Mitchell Wold. Rodney is preceded in death by his parents, sister Bernita, brother Lyle, and sister Marjorie. A reunion to honor Rodney's life will be held at a later date. His family would appreciate memorials be given to the charitable cause of the donor's choice in Rodney's name. www.bratley-nelsonchapels.com

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Published by Pioneer Press on Jan. 25, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Rodney BOEHLKE

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

20 Entries

Renee Berthiaume

June 18, 2021

Wonderful teacher at Johnson

Tom Pieper

March 30, 2017

Rod was my high school downhill skiing coach. I bet I improved 2-3x that single year on his team.

April 12, 2015

Mr. Boehlke was my teacher at Johnson High School. He was a delightful and kind man, and a wonderful and caring teacher. He always had a sparkle in his eye that I remembered. I am glad that he fulfilled his dream of having a lake home. My sympathy to the family on your loss.

Nancy Plesha Thomas

March 22, 2015

I may have met Rodney at the Olivia High SchoolClass of 1950 25th reunion. So many to see, so little time! Carol and I were classmates. Her family invited ours to Sunday dinner in our first week in Olivia and served superb cream of asparagus on toast. Her older sister warned me about a strict, demanding teacher. I discovered her (Mrs. Gray) to be an excellent teacher of Latin, history and, perhaps English or speech.
Carol, I lost track of you after White Bear Lake, but would love to hear from you when you are ready. [email protected]

February 23, 2015

So sorry to find this obituary. My deepest sympathy to Sara, Carol, Laura and Karen. Your Dad will be missed by many.

David Percival

Susan Gaines

February 1, 2015

I think we are family on the Boehlke side. I'm Harriet Boehlke Beckers granddaughter. Sorry for your loss

Julie Pedro

January 27, 2015

I was a former student of Mr. Boehlke's at Johnson and I posted his obituary on the st paul facebook page and these are some of the responses I got:

• Stu Sonnee One my favorite teachers.
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• Kathy Longbehn Burth Oh no Mr Boehlke passed?
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• MarknLaura Anderson My track coach.
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• Stu Sonnee My drivers ed and english teacher.
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• Carol A Harsdorf My husband had him as a teacher and then when he was a barber, my husband would cut his hair!
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• Tom Weiser ENGLISH READING

• Toni Marusich Behling RIP Mr Boehlke. He's was a great teacher and coach!
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• Kathy Longbehn Burth Film study.
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• Missy Grillo HE WAS AN AWESOME TEACHER SORRY FOR OUR LOSS MAY HE R.I.P.
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• Karrie Ann Connolly He was a fun teacher!
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• Kathy Hill He was one of my favorite teachers for english. It turned out my son also had him for a teacher many years later.
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• Paula Capistrant I do
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• Susan Monson Valley Such a sweet guy....
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• Mary 'Berube' Giannini We have them as teachers and coaches but do not always know the people they are outside of the classroom. I remember he made sure we knew how to fold a map and memorize our social security numbers. He was also my track coach. Thank you for four years of caring and guidance.
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• Ellae Wilson I didn't realize Mr. B was there teaching when you went to JHS. I called and mentioned the obit to Dad. Before I was at JHS, Mr. B came to our house several times to work with Dad on some drivers' license stuff and he gave Danny private drivers' ed classes, because it was yet taught at the schools and it lowered insurance rates. I never was in any of his classes, but really liked him.
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• Barbara Lynch he was my drivers ed teacher.he was great at it
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• Anita Jader I had him for drivers ed as well. Thanks for posting. So sad.
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• Charlotte Gilles yes i liked him alot... he was my homeroom teacher a kind, nice man.

• Anita Jader You can post something to the family on the obituary website. I'm sure the family would appreciate it.
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• Lolly Derauf Fread favorite English teacher..
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• Geri O'Connor He was my favorite teacher!
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Dianne Halverson-Schultz Great teacher

Dianne Halverson/Schultz

January 27, 2015

RIP mr. Boehlke

Valerie Quinlan

January 27, 2015

I spent a lot of time with Mr. Boehlke at Johnson HS. He was my English teacher and I was in his study hall. For 2 years, I was the manager of the soccer team. I was also on the track team. One summer, he was my driver's training instructor. To top it all off, together we were timers at an AAU swim meet. He was an enthusiastic teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Dennis Schmidt

January 26, 2015

Mr.Boehlke was a fine man, and great teacher all his pupils loved him, I remember reading Shakespeare and liking it!! I still do these many years later.

Mary Juckel

January 26, 2015

Carol and Family
We are so sorry to hear of Rod's passing. Always enjoyed the times on Big Sandy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul&Mary

Charlottet (Thomas) Gilles

January 26, 2015

Oh I've got fond memories of him being such a nice person when he was my teacher in the 60s.... Sorry for you lose..

Anita Sime Jader

January 26, 2015

Mr. Boehlke was a positive influence to so many. So sorry for your loss.

Geri Kuehl

January 26, 2015

Sorry for your loss. He was once of my favorite teachers.

Garnetta Clark

January 25, 2015

My condolences to ur family??

Carolyn Ross Isaak

January 25, 2015

Loved him as a teacher and track coach. What a great man.

Lori Pilla

January 25, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Boehlke's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers.

Patrick Mulvaney

January 25, 2015

Thank you to the Boehlke Family for sharing Rod with us for all these years. Rod coached me in Track and Field and was my English teacher. My heart goes out to you all in your time of loss. Patrick Mulvaney Class of 1985

January 25, 2015

May the god of all comfort ( psalms 83 v18 ) comfort you in your difficult time.

January 25, 2015

To the Boehlke family,

I was saddened to read of Rod's death in the Pioneer Press. He and my husband Ron were friends during their time at Johnson H.S. I believe they hunted together on occasion, and Rod may have ignited Ron's serious intro to skiing. I remember visiting your home in WBL, and after Rod's retirement and your move to the lake, Ron would often speak of Rod and wonder how he was doing, etc. Maybe the two of them will meet again at a reunion of former JHS staff who have gone before us. You are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

Mavis Dittmer

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