Mass of Christian Burial for George O. Boeding, age 97, of Faith SD, will be Saturday, January 5th at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Faith SD with Fr. John Heying officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery west of Faith. Visitation will be Friday, January 4th from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the Faith Area Memorial Chapel and one hour prior to the funeral at the church Saturday morning. Rosary/Vigil service will be Friday, January 4th at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.


George O. Boeding was born on Oct. 3, 1910 at Leola, SD to Mary (Wellman) and Bill Boeding. In 1911 they moved to Glad Valley where they ranched and farmed. George attended rural school until eighth grade. He then went to work for the neighbors to help support the family. At the age of 15 he started grading the #8 Road (now Hwy. 20) with a team of horses and a grader.


In July, 1934, he married Maxine Walenta at Glad Valley. They lived for a time on the Walenta Ranch where he worked caring for 17,000 sheep. He also worked for the W.P.A. constructing area stock dams. In the fall of 1944 George and his family moved to Dupree where he worked for the State Maintenance Department. After moving back to the ranch to help there, he then moved to Faith in the summer of 1950 to work for the State Highway Department. In 1960 he was promoted to supervisor and stayed working until his retirement in 1975, having put in 27 ½ years.


George loved to play baseball in his early years and was known for being one of the best pitchers around. He loved to play pool with friends and he enjoyed daily coffee and a visit with friends at the local cafe. He loved music and was a great dancer. (He taught his granddaughters how to waltz.)


George resided in Faith until 2004 when his health began failing. He was eventually moved to the Knife River Care Center in Beulah, ND. He remained there until his death on Dec. 31, 2007. He left Faith but his heart did not. He thought and asked about his friends often and loved the occasional card or letter that he received. His last request (which could not be done due to his health) was to go home one last time.


He is survived by one daughter, Peggy Mastel, Faith, SD; two sons, Phillip (Annette) Boeding, Madison, CT, Maurice (Jean) Boeding, Toledo, OH; two sisters, Roseanne and Frances; one brother Raymond Boeding; 13 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Bill; five brothers, Herman, Bill, Vincent, John, Leonard; four sisters, Mary, Veronica, Genevieve, Gertie (George's twin); one daughter, Marcella, two sons-in-law Rod Edinger and Joseph Mastel, and his great grandson Quade.