Gary Alvin Bokelman, age 75
Gary Alvin Bokelman, age 75, of Franklin, WV, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Kings Daughters Community Health and Rehab in Staunton, VA. He was born on May 8, 1944, in Willmar, MN, the son of the late Alvin and Garnet (Werder) Bokelman. Gary was twice married. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hildeyard Bleeke Bokelman, as the result of a car accident in 1970. On December 23, 1975, he married Darlene Schmiesing Bokelman, who survives in Franklin, WV.
Mr. Bokelman was a 1962 graduate of Willmar High School. He attended Concordia Jr. College in St. Paul, MN, Concordia Sr. College in Ft. Wayne, IN, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He graduated with a Masters in Divinity, and furthered his education at North Dakota University. Gary was Pastor at Armour, South Dakota, before joining the Good Samaritan Society as a Nursing Home Administrator. He served as Administrator in LaFayette, MN, Silverton, ID (22 years), and Franklin, WV, for a total of 30 years. After his retirement, he worked at Dayton Walmart in the Hardware Department for 12 years, before retiring for the second time.
In Gary’s travels, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Idaho, President of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Member, March of Dimes Trustee, Elks Club Trustee and Chaplain, Wallace Yulee Tide Lighting Festival Organizer, Pendleton County Friends of the Library, and Member and Treasurer for the Pendleton County Christian Emergency Aid Fund. He served as a Vacancy Pastor for many years and was an organist at Faith Lutheran Church in Franklin, WV. Gary was also instrumental in establishing a 911 system for Pendleton County, WV. Gary enjoyed fly fishing, gold panning, wood working, yard work, and walking beaches (preferably in Florida).
In addition to his wife, Mr. Bokelman is survived by: a daughter, Amber Larkins (Scott) of Oswego, IL; a son, Seth Bokelman of Lyndurst, VA; a self adopted foster son, Michael Jennings of Jacksonville, FL; 3 grandchildren, Sophia Larkins, Madelyn Larkins, and Isabelle Bokelman; a sister, Linda Mathis (Jerry); brothers, Dave Bokelman (Renee), and Mike Bokelman; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bokelman’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 12-2 PM at the Faith Lutheran Church in Franklin, WV. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM, with Pastors Jason and Jessi Felici officiating. A Graveside Service will be on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at 2:00 PM at the Vernon Center Cemetery in Vernon Center, MN. Memorials may be made to the Pendleton County Ministarial Association, POB 893, Franklin, WV 26807. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.