James Bernard Boedges Jr. passed away peacefully on July 29 at the age of 80.
He was born on August 3, 1945 in Neenah, Wisc., the eldest child of James B. Sr. and Loraine J. (Hanson) Boedges.
A celebration of life is scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home in Hermann. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. A meal will follow at St. Paul UCC-Hermann.
Raised in St. Louis, Jim was the eldest brother to six siblings. He spent time at his grandfather’s farm and that desire to be farming never went away. He grew up in St. Louis but found his way to country adventures with friends.
He met that special someone, Marjorie Schwarz, and they married in 1968. They were married for 57 years. After completing his degree in business and accounting at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, he began working for Banquet Foods which eventually became ConAgra. He was CFO of the St. Louis office. Later, he was president of Universal Food Marketing. During this time Jim and Marge lived a double life as they worked in the city and spent weekends enjoying their farms in Montgomery County. Their children, James Jon and Susan, grew up spending weekends at the farm. He had many wonderful hunting and fishing trips with his son, son-in-law and friends. Hunting and fishing with his kids and grandkids was very important to him.
After 30-plus years in the corporate world and their children off at college, they made the move to full-time farmers. Jim’s love for the farm never wavered. When his children graduated, they both returned to the farm. Jim J. farmed with him and took over when he could no longer do it. Susan is a veterinarian in both Hermann and Montgomery City.
When Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he enrolled in medical studies, drug research and sought help wherever it might be offered. We thank Washington University’s Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, St. Louis University’s Alzheimer’s drug studies, Cedarhurst’s Memory Care Unit, Phoenix Hospice Services and AGS Hospice for their loving care. We appreciate friends who have been so supportive.
Jim leaves behind his wife, Marjorie; his son James Jon (Megan); his daughter Susan (Jim) Elder; five amazing granddaughters Samantha Boedges, Allison Boedges, Katie Boedges, Julia Elder and Lillian Elder; his siblings, Marie Kelemen of Pacific, Janet (Chris) Schottel of Vermont, Robert (Nancy) Boedges of Fenton, Richard (Lori) Boedges of Chesterfield and David (Judy) Boedges of Tennessee; sister-in-law, Sharon Boedges of Pacific; brother-in-law, Ron (Carolyn) Schwarz of St. Louis County; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, James Sr. and Loraine Boedges; his in-laws, John and Georgia Schwarz; and his brother Bernard Boedges.
In accordance with his wishes, Jim donated his body to the Washington University Knight Alzheimer Research Center with a cremation following.
