Herman Dennis Boettcher

Herman Dennis Boettcher, age 83, died peacefully on February 16, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was cared for by the amazing teams of Saint Croix Hospice and entire staff at Home Suite Home in Tilden, WI.

Herman was born to Melvin and Emilie (Andrel) Boettcher on December 13, 1939, on the family farm in the town of Woodmohr, the fourth of five children. Herman became a farmer when he milked his first cow at the age of 6, by hand and into a bucket! He married Patricia Marie Nimtz on April 4, 1964, in Chippewa Falls, WI. He attended Noble School through the 8th grade -only one block from his home and would run home for lunch and back so he could have recess with the rest of his friends. Attending Bloomer High School with the class of 1957, he was a 3-sport athlete and on the honor roll. Herman was a proud FFA member, took all the Ag classes and had a long relationship with Mr. Miller – who took him on his first “big trip” to Yellowstone. He was a FFA chapter and state officer, as well as Wisconsin State Junior Dairymen Officer. He was a 4H member, loved to attend county fairs, held both State and American FFA degrees, and later was a 4H leader.

Herman attended UW-River Falls for one year.  While there he played football, purchased his first farm and continued to use his Ag classes the rest his life. Herman believed in the “4 F's” faith, family, friends and farming *not always in that order, but always with total conviction. He also operated by the “Four Seasons”. Spring was field work, baseball and milking! Summer was haying, fast pitch, time at the lake and milking! Fall was harvesting, football and milking! Winter was fixing, fishing, basketball, cards and milking!

Watching his children during their time at Bloomer Schools, boys at UW-River Falls and daughter at Stout brought him great joy. Time away from the farm was shared with special friends, Canada fishing, hunting out West, traveling outside the state or going to the cabin. He took pride in being elected to the Wisconsin Dairies Board and the Foremost Farms Board. Herman and Pat were Chippewa County Farm Family of the year in 1995, and honored by the Bloomer FFA. His greatest joy was saved for his children, grandchildren and great-grandsons, his love for them was unconditional.

He is survived by his wife: Pat (Nimtz) Boettcher of Bloomer; children: Eric (Lisa) Boettcher of Menomonie, Marc (Diane) Boettcher of Bloomer and Paula (Patrick) Gretzlock of Emerald; brother: Byron (Gale) Boettcher of Bloomer; grandchildren, Logan (Anna), Laikyn, Caden and Keyton Boettcher, Cole, Alexis and Isaac Boettcher, Matthew, Genevieve, Andrew and Charles Gretzlock; great grandsons: Watson and Tate Boettcher; brother-in-law, Scott Nimtz; god-children: Sandi Hutton, Cheri Sarazen, Brenda Haas and Sean Nimtz; multitudes of special nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Melvin and Emilie; parents-in-law, Walter and Genevieve Nimtz; sisters: Nilah Redmond and Verdene Schwab; brother: Duane Boettcher; brothers-in-law, Llewelyn “Pete” Redmond, Gib Schwab, Barry and Paul Nimtz; and sister-in-law: Bev Boettcher; grandsons, Isaiah Boettcher and William Gretzlock.

Our family is so thankful for so many caring thoughts, prayers and support from family and friends who reached out and spent time with Herman over the past few months. Again, we feel blessed by the caring angels- both staff and residents- of Home Suite Home in Tilden and Saint Croix Hospice who welcomed, played and prayed with Dad until the end.  

Memorial Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomer on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 3:00 PM with a visitation from 1:00-3:00 PM at the church before the service. Reception following the service will be held at the White Pine Pavilion, 9832 County Hwy. SS in Bloomer. A spring inurnment will be at the Emmanuel Cemetery in Tilden, WI.

Service will be Livestreamed at St. John Lutheran Church You Tube Page

St John's Lutheran Church in Bloomer, WI - YouTube