Jerry F. Boekeloo

   Jerry Frederick Boekeloo of Hennepin, 82, went home to be reunited with his beautiful bride Dianne Johnson Boekeloo on Saturday January 6, 2024.  He was born on October 15, 1941 to Fred Boekeloo and Martha (Jordan) Boekeloo in Chicago, IL.
   They also gave him two sisters, Barbara (Boekeloo) Gibson (deceased) and Darlene Abbotts. After graduating from high school, he served his country with the SeaBee Construction Battalion and traveled extensively.  He returned home where he became a truck driver with Sims Motor Express as his father and grandfather had done before him.  In 1966, he met and married Dianne and seized the opportunity to begin his own dispatching firm when J and L opened a plant in Hennepin, IL.  He pursued that career for 38 years until the plant closed.  In his late 60's, he bought his own rig and became an independent owner/operator and took flatbed loads all over the country until he turned 76.  Upon his retirement, he became a full time care giver to his beloved wife as she battled lung cancer and was by her side at the very end.
   During his years, he had several other pursuits.  In 1975 he purchased 190 acres in the country outside of Tiskilwa where he built the Four Oaks Ranch. He and his family raised horses and ran a milk fed veal operation there.  He also bought and owned a condominium on Marco Island in Florida where he would spend his winters with friends and family.  For several decades he fished Lake Michigan from the small town of Pentwater, Michigan where the family owns a cottage. His boat 'Lily' was known by every charter captain in the harbor.
   One of his proudest accomplishments was the Mallard Duck Club, which he ran for several decades with his son.  During this time, he worked hard to make it one of the premier clubs along the Illinois River. Hundreds of men hunted there under his leadership and other clubs envied the camaraderie that was found within the walls of the clubhouse. In the later years, you would find GENERATIONS of hunters sharing a rich experience on the 800 acres of backwaters with their children and grandchildren.
   Jerry lived life to the fullest and always gave 100% to everything he pursued.  You would find him with a smile on his face, and a crowd of people being entertained by his stories.  He was a loyal, dependable and generous friend.
   Jerry's family was very important to him and affectionately referred to him as 'Old Fart'.  He is survived by his two children Lori Boekeloo and Jimmy Boekeloo (Peg Noethe) of Hennepin. He is Grampy to Timothy Bookwalter, Jerimy Boekeloo, Lily Wink, Miciah Lenihan, Sawyer Gray and Tory Ramey.  He is Great Grampy to Angel Kucera, Finley Lenihan, Harrison Lenihan, Arlo Lenihan, Hayden Miller and Addy Miller.  He was also instrumental in the lives of his nieces and nephews Anthony Aurelio (deceased), Danny Lang, Michelle (Aurelio) Vannatta, and Dennis Lang Jr.
   Jerry's remains are to be cremated and he will find his final resting place in Pentwater, Michigan with his wife.  There will be a celebration of life at Rolando's Supper Club in the early weeks of summer.

   Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

   Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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