Pershing Boe

In loving memory, Pershing Boe, 87, former resident of Fargo, died following a lengthy illness on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at his home in Titusville, Florida. Pershing was born on May 27, 1919 in Finley, ND. He served with the United States Army in World War II, graduated with highest honors from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks with a bachelors degree in business and went on to earn his juris doctorate degree, receiving admittance to the esteemed Order of the Coif, the honorary law fraternity, for outstanding achievement. His long career began in Fargo at the First National Bank and, soon after, as an aide to Sen. Milton R. Young, R-N.D., in Washington, D.C., also accompanying him to Korea during the war there. Pershing later returned to Fargo and was named vice president of the First National Bank in charge of the trust department. From there, he entered into politics and was elected to the North Dakota State House of Representatives. He was also a member of the Fargo Park Board and president of the United Fund. In the mid 1960’s, Pershing accepted the position of president of the First National Bank in Grand Forks. He later returned to Washington D.C., where he served as the chief lobbyist for the Independent Bankers Association. Pershing relocated to Florida in 1972 and, after many years working at the First Federal Savings and Loan, he retired in Titusville, FL. Pershing is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maureen Boe, Titusville, FL, sons, Jerry (Sheryl) Boe, Titusville, FL, John (Sherry) Boe, Monterey, CA; daughter, Sara Boe, Gainesville, FL; grandsons, John (Gay) Boe, Karl (Angela) Boe, Brian (Jackie) Kraft, and Danny Kraft; granddaughters, Eva Kraft (Ben) Peightal, and Emma Combes and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary M. (Peggy) Kraft. Services will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, December 21 at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the National ALS Association.