Lorraine Frances (Schmidt) Boehlke

Lorraine Frances Schmidt, Grandma B as she was affectionately called, was born December 23, 1920, in Eustis Nebraska to Samuel Gottlieb Schmidt and Wilhelmina Frederica "Minnie" Kaes Schmidt. She was the oldest of three girls.

Lorraine graduated from Eustis High School as valedictorian of her class. The Schmidt family had to leave Nebraska because of the drought and Lorraine stayed to finish school. After graduation, she followed her parents and sisters to Buhl, Idaho. She met her future husband at a Walther League event at Clover Lutheran Church.  She worked at several odd jobs including as a cook for a logging company. She attended Boise Business School and was employed at Boise Floral as a full charge bookkeeper during World War II.

After the war ended, she married Alfred Arthur Boehlke on Sept. 8, 1946, in Parma, Idaho. The Boehlke family included one daughter and four sons.  They lived on several farms and settled at the Boehlke home place, purchased from Alfred’s parent’s estate. They lived south of Nampa, Idaho for over 50 years at the “Home Place.”

 She volunteered many hours helping to start and maintain a well-loved hot lunch program and kitchen in the new building of Scism Elementary school. Then later she helped start the lunch program at Zion Lutheran School. She was skilled at organizing, buying and bookkeeping.

The Bell-Key Angus Ranch, owned and operated by Alfred and Lorraine, was known for quality registered Angus cattle. In 1989 Alfred & Loraine received the Idaho Angus Association Family of the Year award. Lorraine was an active member of the Boise Valley Angus Auxiliary.

Lorraine loved her Lord and the members of her church. She was baptized as an infant, March 20, 1921, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Eustis, Nebraska and confirmed there on April 14, 1935. She was a charter member of Zion Lutheran Church in Nampa, Idaho and was always very active in Bible classes and church organizations. Her bookkeeping skills were appreciated, and she gave generously of her time.

She died on October 9th, 2017 just after hearing the Lord’s Prayer for the last time.

 Survivors include;  one daughter, Linda Griswold (husband Tom), of The Dalles, OR;  four sons, Jim (wife Gwen) and Dennis, both of Nampa, ID;  Robert of Seattle, WA;  and Kenneth, Portland, OR;  sister, Estellene Henderson,  five grandchildren, Susan Bull (husband Jerry), Jim Griswold (wife Evie), Keith Griswold (wife Julie),  Catrina Boehlke, and Tanya Boehlke;  12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Minnie Schmidt, her husband Alfred, her sister Betty Jean O’Brien, and grandson Samuel Becker- Boehlke

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to send a memorial, please donate to the Tuition Scholarship Fund of Zion Lutheran School, 1012 12th Ave. Rd. Nampa, ID 83686 

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