Orlean Irving Boen, 92

Orlean Irving Boen, the son of the late Andrew and Hilda (Brekke) Boen, was born on August 10, 1922, near Strandquist, MN.    He attended school and grew to manhood there and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp for several years, then in the airplane industry in California.  In January of 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a gunner on a B-26, flying from England, France, Belgium and Luxembourg.  He was shot down twice and considered himself very lucky to be alive.  He was discharged in September of 1945 and moved to Minneapolis, MN.  On March 23, 1946, Orlean was united in marriage to Joyce Koland at Minneapolis.  He was employed as a bricklayer for Dean Witcher Construction for 50 years and worked on several projects in this area.  He was a long-time member of Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN.  Joyce passed away April 13, 1999, and Orlean came to Karlstad 10 years ago where he has since resided and was a member of First Lutheran Church here.  He passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday morning, Dec. 5, 2014, at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 25 days.
 
   He is survived by one son: Rev. Gary Boen, of Karlstad;  one daughter: Linda (Herb) Cargill, of Shelton, WA; four grandsons: Erik and Zachary Cargilll; Joshua Gnerer and Ryan Boen; two great-grandsons: Leif and Sven Cargill;  two sisters: Vernice (Dwight) Sandgren, of Bemidji, MN and Margaret (Earl) Kelly, of Farmington, MN;  one brother: Wallace (Mary) Boen, of Brockton, MA;  and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
 
   Orlean was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two grandsons: Collin and Mitchell, and two brothers: Kenneth and Marvin.