"Dear Julie, Jenna, Jared and Jonas, I am sorry to hear about your husband and Dad I was not able to make it to the visitation. He fought a tough battle the last couple of years as well as did all of you. Always remember the fun times you had together as a family. Hopefully that will help as you continue on one day at a time. I enjoyed having all of you in algebra over the years. Keep working hard and your positive attitude your Dad helped instill in each of you. With kind regards to each of you, Carolyn Bruels "
In loving memory of
Jeff "JB" Boelter
March 25, 1964 - July 25, 2018
Jeffrey "JB" Elroy Boelter passed away at his home in Winona surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. He courageously battled brain cancer for two and a half years before passing away at the age of 54. JB was born on March 25, 1964 in Albert Lea, MN to his parents Elroy and Diane Boelter. He attended and graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1982. He then attended Southeast Technical College in Winona and received a degree in marketing. It is during that time that he began his 34-year career with Fastenal. In 1993, he married Julie Long in New Richland, MN. They spent the next 25 years making their home in the beautiful bluffs of rural Winona and raising their three children, Jenna, Jared and Jonah. JB's positive attitude on life was felt by everyone around him. His pure heart cared for all those around him, his integrity and ability to always do the right thing never wavered. His smile always lit up a room and was a quality everybody knew him for. JB was a huge Vikings fan and enjoyed cheering on his children, family vacations and volunteering at Callista Court and St. Anne's. He left the world a much better place because of who he was to so many. Go into the world and make a positive difference to others in honor of JB and leave this world a better place like he did. JB is survived by his wife, Julie and their children, Jenna, Jared and Jonah of Winona, MN; parents, Elroy and Diane Boelter of New Richland, MN; sister, Brenda (Jeff) Kremer of North Mankato, MN; brother, Mark (Michelle) Boelter of Winona, MN; in-laws, Bill and Virginia Long of Marshalltown, IA; sister-in-law, Janet (Dean) Damman of Melbourne, IA; brother-in-law, Mike (Rita) Long of Grant, NE; sister-in-law, Melinda Dostal of Toledo, IA; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Thank you to Winona Hospice for all the love and care they gave JB and his family. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 30, 2018 at Central Lutheran Church with Rev. Mike Zaske officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Sunday, July 29 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, and one hour prior to the service at the church. JB will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please leave a memory of JB and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Dear Julie, Jenna, Jared and Jonas, I am sorry to hear about your husband and Dad I was not able to make it to the visitation. He fought a tough battle the last couple of years as well as did all of you. Always remember the fun times you had together as a family. Hopefully that will help as you continue on one day at a time. I enjoyed having all of you in algebra over the years. Keep working hard and your positive attitude your Dad helped instill in each of you. With kind regards to each of you, Carolyn Bruels "
"Dear Julie, Jenna, Jared and Jonas, I am sorry to hear about your husband and Dad I was not able to make it to the visitation. He fought a tough battle the last couple of years as well as did all of you. Always remember the fun times you had together as a family. Hopefully that will help as you continue on one day at a time. I enjoyed having all of you in algebra over the years. Keep working hard and your positive attitude your Dad helped instill in each of you. With kind regards to each of you, Carolyn Bruels "
"My sympathy is with your family, I was in Jeff's class at Vo-Tech and he was a great guy. I lost touch with a lot of that group but he was always so kind and always had a smile on his face. May God give you the strength during this time. Lori Schossow Evanson"
"Julie and family, you can be sure of my prayers and thoughts as Jeff goes on to his New Life! I loved singing John Denver with Jeff! Mary Jo, music therapist "
"What a great guy. I enjoyed coaching Morrie Miller Football with Jeff and he was so great at dealing with the young players. Prayers from the entire Cone family. Steve Cone "
"To the family of JB. I was shocked to here of this, and feel so bad for all of you. Jeff was one of the best friends I had at Fastenal. I worked with Jeff and new him before I joined the blue team when he was at the LaCrosse store. He was the one I always went to when I just needed a friend to talk to. The world has lost one of it's best with JB. God will be there for him, this I know. God bless you my friend. Rick Czeczok"
"Rest In Peace "JB". And love, hugs and prayers for the family at this difficult time. Cathy n Dan Jonsgaard and family"
"I represented a manufacturer calling on Fastenal for several years and met and knew Jeff through that role. We was genuinely one of the most kind-hearted and authentic people I?ve worked with in my professional career. When we won the Operational Excellence award and he called to tell me, I remember believing he was as excited to share the news as I was to receive it. I can only imagine the same passion for others carried into his personal life and he will truly be missed. My prayers for his family is that God?s love in this time is felt through the warmth found in the impact JB had on those around him. Peace to all of you in this difficult time. Sincerely, Tim Artz Atlanta,GA"
"Over the past 5 years I have been present to hundreds of funeral services. On Monday I will be assisting in a burial of a family friend commonly refer to "JB." Words can't describe the amount of courage this family has experience over past couple of years. "JB" had a several great attributes including kind, supportive, and devoted to his family and friends. Our lives are better as result of knowing Jeff Boelter. "
"Those who knew JB, know that he cared for others more than he cared for himself, and how giving he was to others. I'd like to share a quick story about JB that shows what kind of a wonderful human being he was, and how he was such a giver. I had come to visit the Boelter family at their home for a few days a few weeks after JB's surgery hoping to provide some comfort and support, and help lift up JB and Julie Kay and the family at a difficult time when there was much uncertainty around JB's future health. One afternoon, the pastor came to visit JB at the house. Jenna was there that afternoon as well. It was a nice visit, and toward the end of the visit, the pastor distributed holy communion to all of us. I became emotional at that point as I had lost my dad a few months prior, and one of the last things I did with my dad before he passed was to celebrate holy communion with him in his room at the VA Hospital in Des Moines when dad's pastor came to visit him. JB noticed that I was emotional, and came over and gave me a big hug, and told me he loved me. So typical of JB. Comforting me, when I was there supposedly to comfort him. He was a wonderful man, and I am lucky to be able to call him my friend. He and the Boelters made me feel like part of the family from the first time I met each of them. RIP, JB, my friend! Prayers for Julie Kay, Jared, Jenna, Jonah, and for all of JB's family and friends. He will be missed, but what an impact he made in his time here on earth. Love to all, and hugs coming soon! Dale Clayton"
"Julie, Jenna, Jared, and Jonah: such sad news to read this morning. What a wonderful person Jeff was. He came to St.Anne's and gave me communion when i was there as a patient. It was about 3 Sundays ago i saw all of you in church; Jeff able to be there too. He was loved by all. Sad for a lot, but saddest for you and your children. Trust in the Lord as Jeff did, and know there are many friends there for all four of you to lean on. Blessed be his wonderful memory. Bonnie Boettcher"
"Rest in peace, Jeff Boelter. And prayers for strength to you, Julie, Jenna, Jared and Jonah. There should be more kind and loving people like JB in this world. You know how much Natalie and I Love and cherish you all. God Bless. "
"Jeff, remarkable is the best word to describe you. Honored to have been your friend. "
"JB, Thank you for all of the fun and laughter you brought to work and church over the years. Your attitude and ability to lead by example was incredible. Rest In Peace friend. Jeremy Johnson"
"Thank you, JB, for all you did for the Blue Team over so many years. You will be missed. Rest in peace. Bob Kierlin"