Obituary: James Walter Boelk

James Walter Boelk

July 20, 1918 to Oct. 31, 2008



In a log cabin with dirt floors, he was born to homesteading parents in Van Norman, Mont. After 10 years of love for the land and the hardships on the prairie, the family returned to Wisconsin. Not partial to city life he lived and worked on his Uncles' farm at Lake Five outside of Milwaukee. Before being drafted he enlisted in the Navy and served in Washington as Chief Specialist First Class. On a team working with IBM equipment they distinguished themselves breaking Japanese codes sent in the South Pacific. While serving in D.C. he romanced an Oakland, Calif. Wave, Billie June Scott, who served as secretary to his captain. They married in ’44 and when the war ended drove to set up life in Oakland. On the way out they passed Donner Lake and fell in love with the area. He became a partner with his father-in-law and later owned and operated the Idle Hour, a bar and restaurant in Oakland. In ’63 they bought a lot at the west end of Donner Lake and built the cabin that has been their home since ’73. He died peacefully at home in his own bed and on his own terms. He out lived his wife of 49 years, Billie, brothers Bill, Richard, Edward, and sister Kathleen. He is survived by brother Roger, sisters Montie and Nancy and also sons Mike and wife Teri, Rich and wife Peggy, Bill and wife Rebecca, Barry and 12 grandchildren and eight great-grand children.

There will be a Rosary on Sunday evening Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Services will be held on Monday Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. both will be at Assumption Catholic Church in Truckee. Interment to follow at Sierra Mts. Cemetery, Truckee, Calif. Arrangements in Care of Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary & Crematory 587-4342.