Philip E. Boehm

Philip E. Boehm, 82, of Charles City, IA passed away early Saturday morning on Feb. 24, 2024, at Whispering Willow Assisted Living/Memory Care, Fredericksburg, IA. No formal services planned. Final resting place will be at Chester Hill Cemetery near Chester, IA with other members of his immediate family.

Philip Eugene Boehm was born on Sept. 8, 1941, the fourth son of Carl J. and Esther J. (Dirks) Boehm. He was welcomed to the family by brothers, Stanley P. (8/37), Kermit W. (5/39) and Richard L. (8/40). Later, they would be joined by Eleanor R. (9/47) and Dennis C. (11/48). During this time, the family lived on a farm three miles north of Reinbeck, IA.

In November 1950, the family purchased a 300-acre farm just outside of Chester, IA on the Iowa/Minnesota border. Phil and his brothers started school in Reinbeck, but in February 1951, they transferred to the Chester Public School. Throughout his school years, Phil participated in sports playing both basketball and baseball. Phil was also a member of the High School Mixed Chorus and played trombone in the High School Band. Phil graduated with the Class of 1960, the last class to graduate from Chester High School before consolidation of schools at Cresco.

Following in the footsteps of his brother, Stan, Phill attended Iowa State, Ames, where he also was a member of the R.O.T.C. program.

The next 23 years found Phil employed at Oliver/White Farm Equipment Company, Charles City, as a Computer Programmer. Before the closing of White Farm Equipment Company, Phil was offered a position as Computer Programmer for Kohring Cranes, later known as Terex, in Waverly. He enjoyed another eight years of employment before the closing of that plant.

In 1964, Phil and Sharon Calkins of Charles City were married. The marriage later ended in divorce.

In the mid ‘60’s, Phil purchased a 30-acre acreage located four miles north of Charles City on Underwood Avenue just south of Niles Corner where he lived for the next 50 years. As the property site was long and narrow and sat next to the main road, he envisioned establishing a Christmas Tree Farm which later he called Johnny Pine Tree Farm.

During the 1968 tornado that passed through Niles Corner, his existing buildings suffered significant structural damage. He started drafting plans for a new home to be constructed further back from the main road, a shop, two garages, and a pond that would be dug south of the new building site.

After several years of planting, pruning, and shearing trees, Phil started marketing Christmas trees for wholesale distribution along with managing the choose and cut operation. He always enjoyed seeing the families have fun selecting that perfect tree.

Phil had many interests and hobbies over the years. In the early years, he was an avid bowler and enjoyed bowling on two weekly leagues. He liked to do some bow hunting for deer. He enjoyed playing cards. He loved to fish, and most Saturdays in the winter, he would go ice fishing on the Mississippi or Clear Lake. If the ice was a little questionable, he was sent first as the others felt if it held him, they weren’t in any danger. For 20 years in the late fall, he travelled to the upper peninsula of Michigan to salmon fish off the piers of Frankfort and Alberta.

He always enjoyed all types of music and especially during the years of The Country Blue Boys playing in the area most weekends. One winter he completely rebuilt an old player piano. By spring, he had it completely back together, tuned and would sometimes sit by the hour playing some of his favorite rolls.

Phil was also an excellent cook. In the late summer, he would have his counter filled with the prettiest canned tomatoes to be used in one of his favorite recipes. He developed an interest for growing grapes that resulted in some of the best tasting wine ever. If he had a question or wanted to gain further knowledge about a project, he would seek out a person he knew that could give him some valuable advice or get a book and start educating himself.

Survivors include his brother, Stanley Boehm, Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Eleanor (Taylor) Rudd, Huntington Beach, CA; niece, Alecia Boehm, and her daughter, Rachel, Denver, CO; and longtime friend, Barbara Garbes, Charles City.

Those preceding Phil in death were his parents, Carl (1/81) and Esther (7/83) Boehm; brothers, Richard Boehm (10/57), Dennis Boehm (12/62), Kermit Boehm (4/91); sister-in-law, Charlotte Boehm (8/2004); brother-in-law, Larry Gemberling (9/95); and nephew, Paul Boehm (5/2012). Over the years, he truly enjoyed spending time with his many aunts and uncles and their families from both the Boehm and Dirks sides.

We would like to extend many thanks to all the caregivers who went the extra mile to provide Phil with the various levels of care over the past 7-1/2 years. There are far too many to thank individually. Those who helped to make his last days most comfortable are to be commended.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.