Kenneth Boyum

Kenneth Oscar Boyum, a devoted family man and outdoorsman, was born on September 9, 1931, in Napoleon, ND, to Henry and Selma (Carlson) Boyum. As a child, his family moved to a farm near Bejou, MN, in 1939. Following graduation from Mahnomen High School in 1949, he continued to help on the family farm until he was drafted into the US Army in 1952. Kenneth spent two years of active duty in Germany (1952-1954) followed by an additional six years of reserve duty before his honorable discharge. After his discharge, Kenneth embarked on a new career as a mail carrier, a job he held for over 30 years, retiring in 1990 as a member of the million-mile club (driving over a million miles without an accident). It was during his time as a mail carrier that he met his beloved wife, Rose Marie Severson, marrying her on October 31, 1963. The couple made their home on the farm near Bejou, then Gary, MN, followed by Ada, MN, and Hawley, MN, while Kenneth delivered the mail for the communities of Bejou, Gary, and Borup/Felton, MN, before retiring and returning to Bejou in the late 1990's. After retirement, Kenneth and Rose continued to make their home in Bejou but spent their winters traveling the southern parts of the country, especially fond of Fort Myers, where their daughter lived. Rose passed away in December of 2022 and Kenneth remained in their home near Bejou until his death on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, at the age of 93.
Kenneth's passions included hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and dancing the night away at local street dances with Rose. He was a skilled hunter, enjoying both bow and shotgun deer hunting. Above all, Kenneth's greatest love and priority was his family. He loved and cherished all of them no matter how many miles were between them. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Kenneth is survived by his children: Henry (Pam) Boyum of Owatonna, MN; Jason Boyum of Bejou, MN; Duane (Tracy) Boyum of Claremont, MN; William Boyum of Ada, MN; and Debra (Robert) Lofgren of Fort Myers, FL; as well as nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie; his daughter, Stephanie Boyum; his parents, Henry and Selma; a sister, Lilian Carlson and brothers: Adrian, Melvin, Albert, Clement, Fred, Roy and Philip Boyum.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN.