James Allen Boettcher, 2718 Glen Drive, Merrill, died on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a long struggle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Disease.
Jim was born on February 16, 1938 in Merrill, son of the late Arthur and Esther (Johr) Boettcher. He married Harriet J. Degner on August 24, 1957.
Jim is survived by his wife Harriet, his sons Gregory Allen (Joan Gilgenbach), Bay Village, Ohio and Bradley Scott (Amy Nolan), Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and daughter Pamela (Daniel Dahm), Tualatin, Oregon. Gregg and Joan have two children; Jaclyn (Christopher) Moore of Bay Village, and Stephan (Emily) Boettcher, Canyon Country, California, and one great grandchild Madeline Marie Moore. Brad and Amy have two children, Eric and Peter. Pam and Dan have three boys, Jacob, Jeremy and Cameron. He is further survived by his brother Jerry (Carol) Boettcher of Appleton, WI and their children, Jeffrey (Nancy) Boettcher, Appleton , and Julee (Paul) McVicker, Madison, WI, and his Sister-in-Law Carol (Boettcher) Heyel and her children Laura (Boettcher) Hinz and Jenifer (Boettcher) Beyer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bruce (Carol) Boettcher, Paternal Grandparents Gustav and Hedwig (Hagedorn) Boettcher and Maternal Grandparents Emil and Ida (Grueneberg) Johr.
Jim Graduated from Trinity Lutheran School in Merrill, Merrill High School, Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and University of Wisconsin – Superior. His career focused on education. He taught Social Studies in Elgin, Illinois and Grafton Wisconsin. He then moved into administration, working in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Merrill – 16 years as the Junior High Principal and 12 years as the Director of Curriculum. Jim had leadership positions in Lions Clubs International serving at the club, district and state levels in leadership development. He was a member of the Merrill Evening Lions for more than 35 years. Jim also served on the Merrill Historical Society Board of Directors for more than ten years. He presently served on the city of Merrill’s Historical Preservation Committee. Every fall, Jim helped at the Brickyard School where the first graders of the Merrill area attended half days to learn what the one room schools were like. He also served on a committee that put together a trunk that traveled to each third grade class. Currently Jim was a Commissioner of the Merrill Housing Authority. At Trinity Lutheran Church, he taught bible classes, served on the Special Funds Committee and sold Scrip with his wife. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Merrill Concert Association. For the past 15 years, Jim had been a member of the Lincoln County and the Wisconsin Retired Educators. Jim’s favorite pastimes were spending time with the family, following the Brewers and Packers, music, reading, woodworking, photography, traveling, family camping, and volunteer work in general. For 20 years he and Harriet enjoyed going to their cottage on Pelican Lake.
Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Merrill Memorial Park. Donations may be given to the Open Hearts Food Pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church, the Merrill Historical Society, or to the Lions Camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.