Laurence Boatz

Laurence Boatz, 96 of Fargo, died Thursday, April 9, 2009 at MeritCare Palliative Care Unit, Fargo, ND. John Laurence Boatz was born to John Boatz and Catherine (Gallagher) in Missouri on June 28, 1912. After the death of his father, his mother moved the family back to the farm near Bisbee, ND, in 1918. His formal schooling went through ninth grade after which he was needed to help on the farm. At 14, he began working in the elevator at Agate, moving on to elevators at Bisbee and Knox, ND, during which time he married Lily Simonson on December 24, 1939, in Agate, ND. When an allergy to grain dust forced a change, he became a salesman for Superior Grain Cleaners, traveling a four-state area initially. He and his family moved to Fargo in 1947, and he worked for other companies, finishing his career with Grandin Manu-facturing in the 1970s. Laurence was known for his honesty, gentleness, quiet humor and blarney and his love of golf, bowling and card playing. He enjoyed cooking, and was best known for his “famous” pecan pralines, as well as peanut and sunny brittle at Christmas time. He also enjoyed working outdoors in their vegetable garden. Laurence is survived by his daughter, Karen Boatz, Colorado Springs, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lily; his parents; two brothers, Vernus and Bob; and three sisters, Agnes Boatz, Genevieve Walsh, and Marguerite Bonn, Funeral: Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 3:00 PM at First Lutheran Chapel, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Tuesday, April 14, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Also one hour prior to services at the church. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.