Donald D. Boedeker, age 87, passed away on Friday March 18, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will be held at the Zion United Church of Christ on Tuesday March 22, 2016 at 10:30 A.M with Reverend Stephen Stepp and Reverend Kristin Van Heyningen officiating. Burial will follow at the Van Horn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M on Monday March 21, 2016 at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence. Don was born the son on Deitrich and Marie (Deerberg) Boedeker on the Boedeker family farm south of Lowden on February 25, 1929. He was joined in marriage to Carol Jean Freese on August 19, 1950 at Zion E & R in Lowden. Don served his church as Sunday School Secretary for many years; he was then elected to the Church Council in 1973, 1990, and 1998, and served three terms as Church Council President. Don was the first child in his family to attend high school, graduating from Lowden High School in 1946. Thereafter, he farmed with his father and brothers. Don started farming on his own on the family farm south of Lowden in March of 1951. He and Carol continued being stewards of that land until their semi-retirement to Lowden on September 24, 1993. Don eventually fully retired from farming at age 85 due to poor health. Don was a Jacques Seed Corn dealer, director of the former Lowden Creamery, and charter member of the Lowden Lions. Don was an active Lion, and served as Secretary, President, and Director of the Lowden Lions Club; was Chairman of the 9 x 9 Lions, and Region II Chairman. He received the Warren Coleman award in 1990 and became a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1992. Don enjoyed listening to polkas (much to the chagrin of his children when the Sunday morning polka party was on KCRG), and liked to waltz with his bride, one of his favorite waltzes being "Waltz Across Texas". Another favorite was tinkering in the machine shop and watching the cars go by on Highway 30. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol; sons, Steven and Scott Boedeker; daughters, Sally Jo (Larry) Snyder and Susan Monson; Rita Mayerhofer; honorary daughter, Beth (Gene) Brus; 7 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; as well as step children, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren. His brothers, Chris and Henry Boedeker; sister, Betty Baal; and sister-in-law, Eunice Boedeker also survive him along with his nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his a son, Stanley Don Boedeker in 2010; son-in-law, Mel Monson; daughter-in-law, Patricia Boedeker; his parents; and siblings, Paul Boedeker, Milda Boedeker, Richard Boedeker, and Norman Boedeker. When Don gave you a hug and three pats on the back, you knew you had been hugged! In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.