Dolores Boehm

Marion, VA 

Dolores Igl Boehm entered her eternal home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born to the late Joseph Igl and Emily Johanek on October 24, 1930 in Antigo, Wisconsin. She graduated in 1948 from Antigo High School, and Langlade County Normal School in Antigo.  She earned a BA in Education from Dominican College in Racine, WI, a MA in Special Education at Radford University, VA, and took advanced classes at the University of Virginia. Dolores not only loved her family, she loved playing the lost art of Bridge 3 days a week, Canasta with her children late into the night, visiting the Casino with $50 dollars in her pocket as well as gardening, bowling, artwork, traveling and anything else that kept her in constant motion as the Energizer Bunny.

For 10 years she taught in the Milwaukee Diocese Parochial Schools, in Racine, grades 1-8, and 4 years in the Milwaukee and Marion Wisconsin Public Schools, grades 1-4.

In 1972, Dolores set up the school and library in the Finley-Gayle Mental Health Unit at South Western State Hospital.  From 1977-80, she implemented the first Special Emotionally Disturbed program in Wise County VA Schools. In 1980 she was asked to organize and design the school and library at the Marion Correctional Treatment Center in her role as principal and Special Ed teacher. In 1971, Dolores and Ralph became foster parents and were primarily engaged in raising teenage girls. While they assisted in providing for 50+ foster children, they opened their family-oriented group home to many homeless and mentally ill for over three decades, ending in 1998.

Dolores was a devout Catholic, and served in her local church as teacher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, church counsel, social minister, a member of the 3rd Order of St. Frances, and involved in Cursillos.  She also was a Girl Scout Leader and Camp Director.

Dolores was active in her community including a charter member of Saltville Appalachian Museum, the Marion Lincoln Theatre, the Atkins Settlers Museum, the Marion Duplicate Bridge group, and the Smyth County Historical Society and Humane Society.  She also served as President of; the Blue Ridge Job Corp Community Relations Board, Wilderness Road Garden Club, AARP Smyth County, American Association of University Women, Twins Club of Smyth County, and of Racine, the Welcome Wagon of Marion and Lexington, VA, as well as other organizations. 

Dolores and Ralph received various awards including Virginia Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, the Antigo High School Alumni Award, naming the Blue Ridge Job Corps Gymnasium after her husband, Ralph G. Boehm, the Dept of Corrections’ Education Teacher of the Year, and received keys to the Town of Marion.

Dolores is survived by sons David (Dorothy) Boehm of Marion, Stephen (Barbara) Boehm of Syracuse UT, Mark Boehm of Marion, Ralph (Gay) Boehm of Colleyville TX; daughters Dr. Mary Rose Boehm of Clermont FL, Renee (Mark) Sambol of Buckhead GA, and daughter-in-law Judy (Jim) Boehm of Suwanee GA; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, brother Harold Igl of Antigo WI, Arnold (Judy) Igl of Madison WI, and Kenny (Jane) Igl of Phoenix AZ; sister Denise (Ron) Foreman of Wausau WI; and many nieces and nephews, and foster children.

The love of her life were her husband (since 1952), and 7 children including two sets of twins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph George Boehm, of 48 years, her son James (Judy) Boehm, grandson Joshua Boehm, daughter-in-law Dorothy (David) Boehm, brother Frances Igl, and sister Rita Fish.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5:00PM, Saturday, September 17, 2022, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marion with Father Rolo officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00-5:00PM on Saturday at the church. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00PM on Sunday, September 18, 2022, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion. The family will receive friends from5:00-7:00PM on Sunday evening at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life service will be at 4:00PM, on Saturday September 24, 2022 at Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo, WI. Burial will follow in the Queen of Peace Cemetery in Antigo. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00PM on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Social Justice Committee St. John’s Catholic Church, 124 Park Blvd, Marion, VA, 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Boehm Family.