Eldon R. Boerst Eldon R. “Ollie” Boerst, 83, of Gillett, formerly of Bonduel, passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 26 at the Woodlands of Gillett.
Born April 30, 1925, in Bonduel to the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Elsie Kroening) Boerst, he graduated from Bonduel High School in 1943. He married Cora (Jewell) Rotter-Boerst at Tabor United Methodist Church in Gillett on April 20, 1985.
He farmed in the Bonduel area until 1984, then worked for Bonduel Equity Livestock from 1984 until his retirement in 1991. He was a former active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bonduel, serving as trustee for six years and sang in the choir for 28 years. He also sang in the choir at the former St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pulcifer and was a member of Faith United Lutheran Church, Town of Gillett.
He was active in the communities of Bonduel and Gillett and played the role of Santa Claus from the age of 19 until the present. He was a charter member of the Hartland Fire Department from 1949 until 1980 and served as secretary. He became a member of the Bonduel Lions Club in 1984 and transferred his membership to the Gillett Lions Club in 1985, serving as president and Lion of the Year for 1986 to 1987. He received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award in 1996. He was also a member of the Green Bay Botanical Garden and Northern Gardeners.
He served as Second Ward Alderman of the City of Gillett from 1987 until 1991. He was a blood donor from 1953 until the time of his illness, donating over 12 gallons. Along with his wife, Cora, he was the 1999 Grand Marshal in the Gillett 4th of July Parade. He attended many high school sports and other events and was honored in 1994 when the Tiger Yearbook was dedicated to him and in 1997 was voted “Fan of the Year”.
His wife survives, along with four step children, Larry (Barbara) Rotter of Brookfield, Patricia Rotter of Clayton, Calif., Dale (Jodi) Rotter of Grafton and Ron (Sharon) Rotter of Cecil; six step grandchildren; two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Helen Fischer of Shawano and Lillian and Art Riegert of Crivitz; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alice Hansen and Bernice and Bob Paulson, all of Oconto Falls, George Jewell of Oceanside, Calif., Harvey Jewell of Kingsport, Tenn., Lorraine Jewell of Menomonee Falls, Mary Jean McNulty-Berger of Two Rivers, Lois and Leon Riemer of Gillett and Bob and Lynn Jewell of Brookfield and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Martin (Margaret) and Vernon (Gladys); an infant brother and sister, Erwin and Bernice; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marvin Fischer, Wilmer (Leona) Jewell, Elmer Hansen, Bette Jewell, Norma Jean Jewell, Rodney Jewell, Etherel McNulty, Victor Berger, Ginny Jewell and special friend, Ace Pitt.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 1 at Faith United Lutheran Church, Gillett at 11 a.m. Rev. John Laatsch officiated and interment was in Wanderers Rest Cemetery, Gillett. Kuehl Funeral Home, Gillett served the family.
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