Rev. Melvin Richard Frederick Boehlke, Lt. Col. USAF (retired) was born on January 20, 1920 in Laurence Township in Brown County of Wisconsin. Known to all as Little Rapids. He was born to his parents who were redeemed new creations by baptism: his mother Irene Lemke Boehlke and his father Richard Boehlke. Melvin received his newness of life through his baptism. His confirmation verse was Revelation 2:10 "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Melvin attended Bronxville Prep School in New York and continued his education at Springfield Theological Seminary in Illinois. He was ordained in 1946 and married in 1946. At the seminary the pre-ministerial men were told when selecting a wife look for a nurse first, then a teacher and if you can't find one of these marry a good Christian woman. Audrey and Lois met in first grade and stayed best friends. Mel's cousin Lois always wanted Audrey to meet her good looking cousin, Mel. Lois introduced them at a Walther League International Convention held in Chicago, Illinois. They met on the steps of the foyer of the Stevens Hotel. Audrey was a good Christian woman. Their children became a nurse, a principal, a teacher and a minister.
Melvin started his ministry as a mission pastor in Audubon, Iowa, at St. John's. St. John's bought a building and moved it to serve as their sanctuary. At St Paul's in Grafton, Wisconsin they built a new sanctuary. At Bethany in Houston they built a gym and additional classrooms for their school. At Zion in Anderson they had plans for a new fellowship hall. His ministry was one of building the faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. in the Air Force Melvin was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX where a reputation was saved; Burdrop, England where a life and career was saved; Mt. Home, Air Force Base, Idaho a career was saved. Melvin continued his military work in the reserves. He served on the board of education at Lutheran High School in Houston, TX, and he served on the mission board for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Texas District.
On 1/20/14 Melvin turned 94. Then on 1/21/14 he received the best birthday gift and is spending eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. He is preceded to Heaven by both parents, his sister Marjorie Boehlke Dobberfuhl, and his wife of 58 years Audrey May Carol Poggendorf Boehlke. He is survived by his four children: daughter Candy and her husband Neal Kaspar of Grand Junction, Colorado; son Keith and his wife Doris Boehlke of Perham, Minnesota; daughter Kristen and her husband Fred Lamsfuss of Seguin, Texas; son Craig and his wife Jennifer Boehlke of Melbourne, Florida; four grandchildren: granddaughter Dawn and her husband Steve Okpisz of Naperville, Illinois; granddaughter Jena Boehlke of Santa Fe, New Mexico; grandson Jason and wife Mandy Kaspar of Grand Junction, Colorado; grandson James and wife Candy Boehlke of El Paso, Texas; great granddaughter Crystal Okpiz and great grandson Evan Okpiz of Naperville, Illinois; step-granddaughter Sandra Salters; step-grandson Carl and wife Lynn Lamsfuss; step-granddaughter Dawn Lamsfuss; step-grand daughters Claire and Meg Lamsfuss; step-grandson James Salters; nephew Dennis and his wife Sally Dobberfuhl of Tuscon, Arizona; niece Darlene and husband Norm Klitzman of Steven's Point, Wisconsin; niece Diane and husband Tim Reul of Beaver's Dam, Wisconsin; niece Deborah and husband Michael Kamps of Beaver's Dam, Wisconsin: nephew Peter Griffin and wife Connie of Pocatello, Idaho; niece Paula and her husband Phil Mosley of Minnesota; niece Peggy Jo Griffin and her son Picasso of Winter Haven, Florida; and many grandnieces and nephews. His dear cousins Lois Herman of Columbia, South Carolina and Leroy Boehlke of Germantown, Wisconsin and many more cousins.
The memorial service will be at 11:00am, February 1, 2014 at Cross Lutheran Church 2171 Common St., in New Braunfels, TX. There will be a luncheon reception following. Private interment will be at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because Melvin was an advocate of education and ministry, in lieu of flowers please send scholarship memorials to: Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Phone 260-452-2100, Email info@ctsfw.edu