Walter "Walt" R. Boxeth, 91 of Bowman, North Dakota passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center in Bowman.

Funeral Services for Walt will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Charles Swanson and Pastor Galen Strand will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be on Friday, March 4, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Walter Richard Boxeth was born on October 1, 1919 on the farm he loved. Walter was the son of Nels and Minnie (Hegge) Boxeth. He was raised on the family farm west of Bowman. He went to school in Bowman and graduated from Bowman High School in1938. During World War II Walter worked at Todd Shipyards in Washington building the first hospital ship for the military. He also worked at Boeing Aircraft building airplanes for the war effort.
In the spring of 1945 Walter returned to the farm and lived there until he moved to Southwest Healthcare Long Term Care in April, 2008. Walter and his mother operated the farm until 1947 when Walter married Helena Schmidt on November 29, 1947. In 1955 Walter and Helena purchased the farm from his mother. Walter was a good steward of the land. He implemented new farming practices to increase crop yields. Walter was the first farmer in Bowman County to use liquid fertilizer from Canada on his own crops. Walter was always preparing for spring so he could plant his crops. It seemed like he could tell when to put in the crops by the smell of the dirt. He always felt that he was in 7th heaven when he was farming or raising cattle or other livestock because that is what he loved to do.
Walter raised Purebred Hampshire hogs, milked cows until 1967 and raised several breeds of cattle. He would travel far and wide to purchase the best bull for his herd. He treated his cattle like his family. Red Angus was his favorite breed of cattle and the Leola was the last breed of cows that roamed on his farm.
Walter was civic minded and served his community faithfully and honestly. He served on the township board for 35 years. Times were tough and the township had very little money. If there was a major problem Walter and the other board members would go to the bank and sign personal notes to fix the problem.
Walter was on the Bowman school board for many years. The building of the Roosevelt School was accomplished while he served on the board. Walter spent time collecting and donating time and money for a new hospital in Bowman. He served on the Bowman Lutheran Church board for many years. Henry Wahl and Walter started "God's Acre" to raise money to build the new church. The farmers gave part of their profits to this program and others donated time and money to finish the project. Walter has been a devoted member of the Bowman Lutheran Church all of his life.
Walter also was on the Elevator Board, the county FHA board and was instrumental in starting the Sons of Norway Lodge in Bowman County and he served on the board for several years.
Walter and Helena found time to travel to Hawaii, England, Wales, Sweden, Scotland and Norway. In Norway he visited his Great Grandfather's farm.
Walter loved to dance. Walter and Helena square danced every Saturday night for years and even traveled to Canada for the International Square Dancing Convention. Walter enjoyed bowling for Bennett Drug for many years.
Walter loved his family. He enjoyed having his girls working beside him. He liked to spend time with wife, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Walter is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helena, his daughters, Bonita (Dick) Frederick, Linda (Daryl) Anderson, Jacquelyn Anderson, Gwendolyn Priewe, Tamara (Mark) Hooper, his sister, Florence Domagala and numerous nieces and nephews.
His grandchildren; Kimberly (Eric) Popinga, Wade (Tracy) Trentlage, Kevin Chamberlain, Dawn (Colby) Braun, Wendy Chamberlain, Tanya (Leigh) Tessier, Cody Hooper.
Great Grandchildren: Jason Dougherty, Abbigale (Andrew) Guardiola, Janel Dougherty, Ashanta Alvarez, McKensie Popinga, Ryleigh Popinga, Madison Braun, Sydney Popinga, Regan Braun, Azariah Alvarez, Jordan Tessier and soon to be baby Tessier.
Great Great Grandchild: Clark Dougherty.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Minnie Boxeth, brothers and sister-in-laws; Ervin and Gert, Herman and Marie, sister and brother-in-law Marguerite and Elmer Morland, son-in–law, Bruce Anderson, brother-in-law Benjamin Domagala, and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Memorials suggested to Badlands Ministries.

Krebsabach and Kulseth Funeral Home of Bowman in charge of the arrangements.