Rev. Gary Lee Boen, of Karlstad, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 16th, 2017 at the Karlstad Senior Center, where he had recently resided since receiving injuries from an auto accident.

The son of the late Orlean and Joyce (Koland) Boen, Gary was born on August 10, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN.  Gary was baptized as a child and later confirmed his faith at the Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN.  After graduating, with honors, from Rosemount Senior High School, Gary attended and graduated from Augsburg College in 1969. Responding to God's call on his life, Gary entered and graduated from Luther Seminary and was ordained as a minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 1973.  Pastor Boen then went on to serve churches in Cloquet, MN, Pelican Rapids, MN, International Falls, MN, Clearbrook, MN and Clarion, IA.  Having served 37 years in ministry, Gary retired and moved to Karlstad, MN in 2010.

After moving to Karlstad, Gary lived with his aging father, Orlean and the two of them were daily visitors to the local restaurant.  With each having some health issues, it was difficult to tell who was caring for whom.  His father passed away in 2014. Growing up, Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing and fast cars, especially Super Sport Chevrolets.  In 1978 Gary was married to Sandra Walstrom and together they had three sons.  Gary's faith was tested, but held firm, when each of his sons died tragically at young ages.  Gary and Sandra ended their marriage in 2004.

Gary is survived by his sister, Linda (Herb) Cargill of Shelton, WA, several aunts and uncles, three nephews and many cousins and by his former spouse, Sandra Boen of St. Cloud, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents and three sons; Mitchell, Collin and Ryan. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29th, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, MN.  Interment for the family will follow in the Hegland Free Lutheran Church cemetery, in rural Strandquist, MN.  Pallbearers include cousins; Mark Wysocki, Darwyn Anderson and Rory Anderson; and friends from Augsburg College; Bruce Mestemacher, Mike Essen and Bruce Egertson.  As an alternative to flowers, memorials in Gary's name may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Karlstad.