Donald Robert Boschert

Donald Robert Boschert, 82, died Nov. 17, 2014, at his home in Willow surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will take place in spring of 2015 in Fairbanks.

Donald was born on June 6, 1932 in Minot, North Dakota to Thomas and Leontine (Buee) Boschert. Donald joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. After returning from Korea, Donald married Jacqueline A. Sawby on April 12, 1955. They had five children together: Bruce, Cindy, Ken, Donna and Traci. In 1962, the family left North Dakota, moving to Washington and then on to Alaska in 1975. Donald had worked as a carpenter most of his life in North Dakota and Seattle. When arriving in Alaska, Donald worked on Clear Air Force Base as a tire man until he retired from the Teamster Local 959. He was a lifetime Veterans of Foreign Wars member as well as being active in the Lions Club in Anderson. In his spare time, Donald loved to work with wood, anything from building homes in Clear to building the cradles for his grandchildren. Everything he made was with beautiful craftsmanship.

“Dad was a true North Dakota farm boy,” the family shared. “Nothing pleased him more than to talk tractors. When he moved back to Alaska, he brought with him a 1941 Ford 9N, which he and his daughter, Donna, (with Russ’s help) got running again. While he never drove it again, it brought him much joy to see it being driven and purring like a kitten!

“Dad also loved to go for drives; from the time we were kids, he and mom would take us for drives lasting hours. On family vacations we always drove to visit family in North Dakota and Wisconsin, one time driving from Alaska! Even in these last years, he loved to be driven around and we all logged many miles making sure he got his drives in. He loved it when his house was full — kids, grandkids and great grandkids. They all brought a smile to his face.”

Surviving are his daughters, Donna (Russ) King and Cindy (Richard) Whitworth, both of Willow; son, Ken (Sandy) Boschert of Fairbanks; sister, Leona Hrin; granddaughters, Carlea (Jason) Irwin of Juneau, Nicole (Justin) Clifford of Fairbanks; grandsons Kevin Whitworth of Juneau, Chris Whitworth of Anchorage, Russ (Tracy) King of Big Lake, Tony (Andrea) Boschert of Fairbanks and Dan (Liz) Boschert of Raytown, Missouri; great granddaughters, Samantha, Annabelle, Bailey and Brooklyn Boschert and Jacqueline Clifford; great grandsons, Judson Clifford, Tony, Brody and Blake Boschert and CJ Irwin.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline; son, Bruce; daughter, Traci; and granddaughters, Erin and Elise Boschert and Samantha King.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mat-Su Regional Home Care and Hospice, 950 E Bogard Rd #132, Wasilla, AK 99654. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Cremation Society of Alaska. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at alaskacremation.com.