Arnold "Arne" E. Boyum
December 12, 2010
Arnold “Arne” E. Boyum, 88, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2010, at Trinity Center, Luther Park, Des Moines, Iowa. He was born August 2, 1922, to Aaron and Anna Nelson Boyum in Brookings, SD. He graduated from the Lutheran Academy in Canton, SD, in 1940. Arne served his country in the United States Army during WWII from 1943 until 1946. He earned the rank of Corporal and served with the 914th Field Artillery Battalion mainly in Germany and central Europe. After the war, Arne received a BA from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. He earned his Master’s Degree at Boston College.
After graduation he worked for Lutheran Social Service in Des Moines. While there he met and married Bernice Larson on April 6, 1953, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell, IA. They have one son.
He later worked for Vocational Service and Rehabilitation for the State of Iowa, retiring in 1989 after 30 years of service. He also served as an election clerk at various polling places. His volunteer work included being a door keeper at the Legislature, working at the Drake Relays for 20 years, Iowa Lutheran Hospital as a patient escort, and he was active at the former Central Lutheran Church. Reading was a favorite pastime.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bernice; son, Paul of Reston VA, and grandchildren, Ingrid, and Louie. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Orin and Earl Boyum.
Visitation and services will be at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street on Friday, December 17, 2010. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM with services at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery will be at a later date.
Memorials can be directed to Hope Ministries, the Firm Foundation, or the Clothes Closet at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dorothy Guhl
12/17/2010
My thoughts are with you today, Bernice, as you say goodbye to your husband & friend. I would have liked to have known him - enjoyed reading about his life history and accomplishments.
It is exactly 9 yrs. ago today since we laid Albert to rest, & I remember how beautiful the church was with the C.tree decorated with chrismons and then all the red poinsettias up by the altar.
Was so nice of Karen to take me to see you earlier this year, and I trust you are doing as well as can be expected. It is comforting to know Arne is spending Christmas in heaven this year. My sympathy to your son and family also. Blessings to you as you seek God's strength & comfort in the days ahead. Love & prayers. D.Guhl
Bob and Joan Ackermann
12/16/2010
We were so sorry to hear of Arne's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God be with you in the days ahead. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Rev. Allan Thoreson
12/16/2010
To the family of Arne Boyum:
My wife and I extend to you sympathy and offer prayers for your comfort in this time of sorrow.
Unfortunately I did not know Arne, though I was a Pastor in Altoona and contacts with Central Lutheran Church. Central was where The Sons of Norway met, to which we belonged.
The reason I'm writing this is that both of my grandmothers were descended from Boyums, and my wife and I have visited the Boyum farm and community back in Norway where there still are many Boyum relatives.
Further, my wife and I lived in Brookings, SD for several years and were told that Boyums had lived there at one time and that they were connected to the Toronto, SD area. One of the families in the church there by the name of Shane told me that they had Boyum relatives in SD and at Peterson and Arnedahl, MN where many of the Boyums settled first, after arriving from Norway. Peterson, MN is the area where my grandparents lived.
Anyway, you have our condolences. If there should be interest in pursuring family and geaneaological connections, let me know and I'd be happy to do so.
Presently, my wife and I live in retirement in Marshalltown, SD where I served a church and now live in retirement.
Our prayers are with you,
Pastor Allan Thoreson
Gerald and Dixie Christiansen,
12/16/2010
Bernice, PAUL, AND GRANDCHILDREN,
WE WILL REMEMBER ARNIE AS BEING A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN, LOVING FATHER AND HUSBAND. HE WAS A VERY GENTLE SOUL AND WE SEND OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY.
Phil Grove
12/15/2010
As you celebrate Arne's life here on Earth, I know you you will also be celebrating his passage to an eternal life with his Heavenly Father. He was a great man who was willing to share his wealth of knowledge with others. After reaading his obituary, it appears that his strong personal values and ethics and desire to assist others was a real strength throughout life.
When I saw his obituary in the DM Register this evening it brought back a lot of great memories from years ago when he was a VR counselor. When I graduated from college in 1968, I went to work for Goodwill Industries in DM. I was certainly a little "green" behind the ears, so when I was promoted to Placement Director (finding community employment for Goodwill clients), I decided to go to VR to learn the ropes from the Master--Arne. He taught me a lot and I have carried much of that information with me throughout my life. I'm still in the business--currently at Village NW Unlimited in Sheldon (32 yrs), IA. Arne was a great mentor and I will always be thankful to him...not only for the technical way to get things done, but more importantly the "process" used in working with people--the importance of treating everyone with dignity & respect.
I worked at Goodwill for about three years, the Polk Co. Easter Seals Center for a couple years, and the Central Iowa Developmental Council for a couple years, before moving back to northwest Iowa. During this time Arne and I attended a lot of the same meetings and we compared notes on a lot of rehab issues.
I lost track of Arne after leaving DM, but often wondered where he was and what he was doing. It sounds like he was heavily involved in his community and continued to give of himself through his volunteering.
I just wanted to let you know that I am just one of the many people that Arne assisted and inspired to help others. Arne was a great servant while here on Earth and I'm sure the Good Lord has more great plans for him now that he has entered His Heavely Kingdom.
May you all experience God's Peace & Strength in the days ahead.
Luann Rowat
12/15/2010
Bernice and Paul,
So sorry to see of Arne's death, but know he is resting at peace in the arms of Jesus. Paul, traveling mercies are with you during this time of coming to Iowa and going back home. Take Care and God Bless
Thoughts and prayers along with my deepest sympathy to your family.
Sincerely,
Luann Rowat
Cindy Olson
12/15/2010
So sorry to hear about Arne. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know.
Cindy Olson
Support group at Trinity Center