of Fremont
Died Tuesday September 23, 2014
at A.J. Merrick Manor
Lillian Joan Boden was born February 21, 1933 to Herman John and Rosa Grace (Hestermann) Boden on a farm west of Sterling, Nebraska. Lillian was baptized in March 1933 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sterling by Pastor Degner and confirmed in January 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn, Nebraska by Pastor Dreyer. The family moved to Peru, Nebraska when Lillian was 1 year old. Lillian attended Peru Normal School until the spring of 1945 when the family moved to a farm on the Nemaha River bottom near Nemaha, Nebraska. Lillian then attended Larkin Country School. Following 8th grade graduation, Lillian attended Nemaha High School where she graduated in 1950. On April 19, 1953 Lillian married Leland Bohling at Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn. They made their home in Auburn and were blessed with two children, Allan and Debra.
After graduating from high school, Lillian worked as a bookkeeper for the Nemaha Coop Creamery in Auburn. The family lived in Auburn until 1960 when Leland's employment with Safeway Stores transferred the family to Omaha, Nebraska. After a few years in Omaha, Leland's job moved the family to Fremont, Nebraska where they made their home ever since. Though Lillian's first priority was a wife and mother, she began a 30-year career at the Warrior Bookstore at Midland Lutheran College where she enjoyed interacting with the college students.
Lillian's faith in God was a cornerstone in her life. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sterling; Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn; Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Johnson; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Omaha; First Lutheran Church, Fremont and most recently Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont. Lillian taught Sunday School for more than twenty years and served as the Sunday School Superintendent for 5 years. She belonged to the Women's Circle Bible Study group and was the Prayer Chain Leader at Peace Lutheran. Lillian was also a 4-H Club Leader which allowed her to teach many young girls, including her daughter, how to cook and sew.
Lillian found much happiness with her family. She was known as "Granny" to her grandchildren and great grandson. Granny looked forward to having the grandkids visit for a week each summer. She was always willing to play basketball, baseball, or any of the other games the kids made up. Lillian was an excellent cook and loved it when the family was there to enjoy what she prepared. Her potato salad was a favorite and has yet to be replicated. Lillian loved to sew, quilt and crochet. She sewed her own clothes, Debra's clothes, and outfits and dresses for the grandkids. Family vacations spent camping were always a fun time for the family. Lillian always made sure that everything was in order for these trips in a big way, she was the glue that kept the family together and strong. Leland and Lillian traveled to Florida several times and always enjoyed their trips to Branson, Missouri. In April 2013, Leland and Lillian celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary alongside many family and friends. Every person that has known their marriage has admired it.
Lillian was resilient. She was diagnosed with diabetes and neuropathy in 1999 and lived with pain in her legs and feet daily. Though this slowed her down some, she still loved to bake Christmas cookies, play board games with the grandkids, and read books, magazines, or anything she could get her hands on. After spinal disc surgery in February 2014, Lillian recovered at A. J. Merrick Manor. Later that month, Leland was diagnosed with lung cancer and he also moved to Merrick Manor. Leland and Lillian were described as the sweetest couple who were inseparable. In April, they both moved to Shalimar Gardens Assisted Living. On August 12, 2014, Leland entered the heavens to wait for Lillian. Though we all believed it would be many years before that time would come, God had other plans. On September 8, Lillian entered Fremont Health and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. On September 16, she moved to Merrick Manor and was welcomed into heaven by her loving husband on September 23, 2014.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Leland; her parents Herman and Rosa Boden; her parents-in-law Herman and Mary Bohling; grandson Dirk Bohling; infant brother Dalen Boden; brother-in-laws Fred Jenkins, Jr, Alvin Bohling and Eldon Bohling; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Louis and Lydia Speckmann, Emil and Elvera Bohling, and Art and Irene Meyer.
Lillian is survived by her son Allan Bohling and wife Jean of Hooper, Nebraska; daughter Debra Pugh and husband Jon of Auburn; grandchildren Brian Pugh of Auburn; Ryan Bohling and wife Mikki of Kearney, Nebraska; Darren Pugh of Waukee, Iowa; Taylor Pugh of Omaha; and Kelsey Bohling of West Point, Nebraska; great-grandson Ty White of Columbus, Nebraska; sisters Darlene (husband Dean) Volker of Nemaha, Orva Jean (husband Arnold) Gobber of Elk Creek, Nebraska, and Elvera Jenkins of Johnson; brothers Robert (wife Delta) Boden of Auburn, Marlin (wife Linda) Boden and Willard (wife Janice) Boden, all of Nemaha; sister-in-laws Marcille Bohling and Joan Bohling, both of Johnson; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral will be 11am Friday September 26 at Peace Lutheran Church (east of Fremont @ 2102 Co. Rd 26). Pastor Sean Tyler will officiate. Graveside services will be 3pm at Martin Luther Lutheran Cemetery south of Johnson, NE. Visitation will be Thursday from 3pm to 8pm with the family receiving friends from 6pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
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