Herbert "Herb" C. Boedeker, Sr., 89, of Elsberry, MO, passed away on Saturday July 23, 2022 at SSM – Lake St. Louis.  He was born on Sept. 15, 1932 in St. Louis Cty to Anthony and Sophie (Herklotz) Boedeker.  Herb grew up with his four older siblings: Melba, Doris, Harold and Anthony.  He attended St. Mary's School in Bridgeton and in 1944, the family moved to St. Peters where he continued his education.  As a young child, he worked on his family's dairy farm with his dad and two brothers.  They milked about 120 cows and farmed about 700 acres of ground.

In 1950, he met Joan Sommer at a square dance and as he says, "never looked any farther and knew he couldn't find anything better than a red head".  They were engaged on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1952 and nine days later he was in the Army.  He was gone three years and spent time in Korea with the 3 ^rd Inf. Div. 64 ^th Tank Bn.  In November 1953, Herb was sent to Ft. Hood Texas for the remaining time in the Army.  After time in the Army, he came home and went back to work on the farm.  On April 30, 1955, Herb married his sweetheart, Joan Sommer.  To this union were born four children:  Deborah, Bert, Steve and Lisa.

In 1973, Herb and his brothers purchased 700 acres in Elsberry and he continued working on the farm.  He also went to work for the Lincoln Sheriff Dept. and spent about 18 years on the road.  Herb later served as baliff for Judge Dildine and later served as a security guard at the court house.  Herb was a kind, caring man to everyone that crossed his path.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Troy and also Elsberry.  Being a member of Troy VFW Post No. 8828 and member of Troy American Legion was very important to him.  He loved to sing while mowing the lawn or singing in church.  Mowing the lawn was enjoyable for Herb also.  Herb will be greatly missed and long remembered by all those who knew and loved him.

Surviving are his loving four children: Deborah (Kris) Gulick of Cedar Rapids, IA, Herbert "Bert"  (Jean Ann) Boedeker, Jr. of Elsberry, Steve (Tammie) Boedeker of Elsberry, Lisa (Mike) Hamilton of Robins, IA; his eight grandchildren: Geoffrey, Eric and Allie, Cory, Jacqui and Lee, Nic and Samantha, Christine, Ashley, Stevie and four great-grandchildren: Maxen, Ava, Emery, Banks and one-on-the-way; and his sister, Doris Nassal of Florissant; sister-in-law – Patricia Dickherber of O'Fallon;  brother-in-law, Nick (Jackie) Sommer of OK; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Boedeker; his granddaughter, Jaymie Boedeker and his sister, Melba Behlmann and two brothers, Harold Boedeker and Anthony Boedeker, Jr.; many brother's-in-law and sister's-in-law.

Visitation scheduled from 4-8p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379 (636) 528-8244.

A Funeral Mass scheduled at 10a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church in Elsberry.  Fr. Chuck Tichacek to officiate.  Interment to follow in Elsberry City Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Troy VFW Post No. 8828 or donor's choice/ c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Troy location. Family and friends are invited to sign our on-line guest registry at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com