Willard H. Boyer, 92, Fargo, ND, formerly of Elgin and New Leipzig, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo, on March 28, 2016.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am MT on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church in New Leipzig, ND with Fr. Charles Zins officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 pm CT on Monday, April 4, 2016 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, ND with full military honors.


Serving as casketbearers are his grandchildren. His great grandchildren are Honorary Bearers.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 1st from 3 – 7 pm at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, ND.

Willard was born on March 17, 1924, to Albert and Evelyn (Hurtley) Boyer in New Leipzig, ND. Willard grew up on the Boyer family farm south of New Leipzig, and attended school at the Pretty Rock School through the 8th grade, when he left school to work on the farm. Willard always encouraged his children to finish school and so he was very proud to be the first North Dakota WWII Veteran to receive a special High School Diploma awarded to Veteran's who had served in the war and been unable to graduate.

Willard proudly served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 aboard PT 245 as a Machinists Mate. (Not to brag, but he was one gorgeous sailor!!)

Willard married his lifelong "girlfriend" Margaret Baerwald on June 21, 1950, in New Leipzig. Margaret and Willard shared 64 years of wedded bliss and whenever they were in reach of one another, they were holding hands. Their love was a shining example for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margaret left to go to heaven on July 1, 2014. All of us know that Dad and Mom are sitting and holding hands up in Heaven now.

Willard had a long career with Montana Dakota Utilities Company and was recognized for saving the life of a fellow lineman, Al Sailer, when Al was electrocuted and Willard climbed the pole, brought Al down and gave him mouth-to-mouth, saving Al's life. Al and Willard retired on the same day from MDU.

Willard and Margaret had five children and later adopted two more boys to join the family. That family has continued to grow through the addition of in-laws (and outlaws as Dad liked to say), grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It has long been a joke with the grandkids to imitate Grandpa as he worked on equipment or made hay.

Willard enjoyed drinking coffee, hunting, fishing and playing cards, especially Pinochle, but even more he loved spending time with his family and close friends who became family to him and Mom, especially Angie Nuss and Mildred Dettmann. Willard's sisters and brothers and their families were always a special part of his busy life and we had many fun get togethers over the years.

Willard is survived by his son, Wesley, River Forest, Il; his daughters, Lornetta Hooks, River Forest, IL; Marcella (Kevin) Hertz, New Leipzig, Clarissa (Jerry) Goldsack, Wilton, and Theresa (Gary) Will, Valley City; and sons, Tony, and Douglas (fiancée, Shannon Estrada-Snider), Springfield, MO; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; his brother, Ralph (Ruth), Bismarck; sister-in-law Millie Boyer, Anaheim, CA; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; one son-in-law, Charles Hooks; his sisters, Fern Cook and Lucille Boyer; brothers, Harold, Donald and Kenneth.

A memorial has been established by the family.