Douglas Myron Bohman

1934 - 2025

Douglas Myron Bohman passed away peacefully at Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji on September 17, 2025, at the age of 90. He was born on October 24, 1934, in International Falls, the son of Frank Sr. and Ethel (Miltenberger) Bohman. He grew up in Ranier where he attended school in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School in 1953.
Before he found his way to the sky, Doug worked at the paper mill in International Falls and served four years in the U.S. Army. After he returned home, Doug started a seaplane base, Bohman Airways, with his older brother Frank in 1960, launching a lifelong passion for aviation. Together they flew countless trips around northern Minnesota and Canada, bringing customers on grand adventures for nearly 20 years. During this time, he also followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a commercial fisherman on Namakan Lake.
Doug met and married the love of his life, Janet Strandlien, in 1962. Together they welcomed daughter Kelly in 1963, and son Todd in 1965. In the late 1970s, Doug took a job as a bush pilot with the U.S. Forest Service out of Ely. He flew there for 20 years before returning to Ranier, where Jan opened a hair salon ('Bohman Hairways') and Doug flew for Voyageur's National Park until his retirement.
Even outside of work, Doug never strayed far from the sky or the water. He enjoyed spending time with family, whether it was out on their houseboat ('The Saginaw') on Rainy Lake or at their home in Port Isabel, Texas. He piloted personal aircraft until he no longer could, then continued to fly in spirit with RC helicopters and drones. Calm, patient, and self-sufficient, Doug carried a deep love for nature and animals throughout his life.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ethel; brothers, Frank, Melvin, and Don; sisters, Muriel Walls and Charlene Erickson; and brothers-in-law, John 'Jack' Walls and Lauren Erickson.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan Bohman; children, Kelly (Steve) Hall of International Falls; and Todd (Elena) Bohman of Waconia; grandchildren, Mathew Perttula of International Falls, Brittany (Ehren) Inkel of Bemidji, Brianna Shober of Pengilly, Baillie Shober of Duluth, Alec Bohman of Appleton, WI, Nik Bohman of Brainerd, and Kirsten Bohman of Eden Prairie; and great-grandchildren, Paul and Ingrid.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.
The family of Doug Bohman is planning a celebration of life on October 25 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ranier Community Building in Ranier, MN.