Donald Boettcher, 85, of Great Falls, Montana, passed away on July 2, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held in Don’s honor in The Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 11:00am with burial of his urn to follow at Highland Cemetery.

Donald was born in Great Falls on January 21, 1930 to parents Walter and Marion Boettcher. Don graduated from Neihart High School and went on to study accounting at the University of Missoula. Most of his 35 year career was spent with the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad.

In 1951 he married Thelma Backa of Geyser. Throughout their years together, they lived in Great Falls, Whitefish and Libby before being transferred to St. Paul, MN in 1970. After Don retired, they moved back to Craig where he enjoyed living near the Missouri River. They also enjoyed spending the winters in Mesa, Arizona. In 1993, Thelma passed away.

In 2000, Donald married Shirley Martin of Great Falls. He moved into Great Falls and continued to spend the winters in Mesa. Don loved to fish and do woodworking in his younger years. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends in Arizona, collecting coins, reading the daily paper, and watching college basketball on tv. He loved the short amount of time he got to spent with his great grandson Caleb. You could see that they would have been great buds.

Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Julie (Doug) Ryant of Mahnomen, MN; son, Roger (Barbara) of Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Jessica (Paul) Feldmann, Nicole Ryant, Krysta (Preston Schmidt) Ryant, Elisa (Alex Carlson) Boettcher and Dylan Boettcher; great grandson, Caleb Houde; step son, Steve Martin; step grandchildren, Cole (Erin) Martin, Sarah Martin, and Emmy (Rob) Kitt; two brothers, Jack (Mary) of Great Falls and Larry (Ann) of Conrad; and brother-in-law, Bob Nebel of Monarch; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, his twin sister Dorothy Nebel and sister Helen “Peg” Aline, brother-in-law Joe Aline, nephews Randy Boettcher and Greg Boettcher, and step daughter Melody Martin.

Donald was a quiet gentle man, a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed by many.

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