Henry Bohle

A Funeral Service for Henry F. Bohle, 93, of Plevna, MT will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2010, at Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna with Pastors Bruce & Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow with Full Military Rites by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 and the Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3rd, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Henry passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at the Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Miles City, MT. Heinrich “Henry” F. Bohle was born on March 11, 1917, 6 miles south of Plevna, MT. He was the oldest of 10 children born to Friedrich and Barbara (Schlecht) Bohle, German parents who emigrated from south Russia in 1910. He grew up six miles west and four miles south of Plevna. He attended Sieler School. After graduating from 8th grade, Henry?s first job was working on a farm for room, board and $20/ month. He worked to support his parents which allowed his younger siblings to complete their education. From 1936 to 1937, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps at Missoula, Neihart, and Augusta, MT. In 1937, he traveled to Portland, OR with a cousin, finding work at a dairy farm. 1939 found him in Los Angeles attending Anderson Airplane School and working as a metal fabricator for Douglas Aircraft. In 1941, he returned to Portland working for Dornbecher Furniture Mfg. In February 1942, Henry was drafted by the Army (Air Corps). He was honorably discharged in September 1943. Upon discharge, he returned to Portland, completing his GED while working for upholstery, metal fabricating, paper bag, and Portland Traction companies. While working as a street car, trolley, and bus driver in 1946, he met the love of his life, Mae Bostrom. Henry decided to return to his rural roots in 1947, purchasing his father?s farm. He leased the farm after harvest and returned again to Portland. Henry and Mae married on September 10, 1948 in the 1st Imanuel Lutheran Church in Portland. From 1949 to 1950, he attended Pacific Business College. From 1951 to 1953, they farmed in Plevna in the summer, and returned to Portland to work for Gunderson Brothers Construction in the winter. In March of 1954, they resumed farming and ranching full-time in Plevna. Henry had earthmoving, excavation and plumbing businesses in Plevna. From 1972 to 1974, Henry was Water Superintendant in Baker. Over the years, he repaired many pieces of machinery for neighbors because of his welding skills; He loved fabricating equipment to use on the farm. Henry said he had 26 different occupations in his life. His favorite occupation was his earthmoving business and he dramatically reshaped the landscape on his farm. He estimated that he moved over a million yards of soil. In 1997, Henry and Mae sold the farm and ranch to their son Kalyn. At age 86, he retired from Bohle?s Angus Ranch in 2003 due to a farm accident. As a life-time member of Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna, he served in many different capacities; his religion was important to him. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 35, serving as commander, chaplain and on the firing squad for many years. Henry?s interests over the years included hunting and fishing. He never turned down the opportunity to play pinochle. He loved swimming and he loved to dance. Henry and Mae traveled across the U.S. to visit friends and family. He enjoyed watching his grandkids in school activities. He was also proud to be recognized as the oldest male citizen at Plevna?s Centennial. Henry firmly believed that he could do anything. He was a fiercely independent thinker; discussing politics was at your own risk; and as we all know at times, he could ?express? himself in a unique and colorful way. Henry wanted to live to be 100 years old, but in the end, his body betrayed him. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mae Bohle; children: Mylen (Diane) Bohle, Prineville, OR; Lynette (Danny) O?Connor, Plevna; Caron (Boone) Collins, Sturgis, SD; Sonja (Dave) Wiseman, Baker; Kalyn (Leslie) Bohle, Plevna; brother Ernest (Barbara) Bohle, Billings; sisters: Alvina Varner, Baker; Annette (William) Wilkens, Nauvoo, IL; sister in law, Mary Bohle, Sheridan, WY; grandchildren: Dirk (Sheila) O?Connor, Troy (Katie) O?Connor; Jesse (Erin) Collins; Seth and DaNae Wiseman; Nicholas, Alex, and Alissa Bohle; great grandchildren: Cooper, Madison, Avery, Miles, Jaxson and Maddox O?Connor; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers: William, Rudolph and two infant brothers, Jacob and Emil; sisters, Dorothea (Otto) Schmidt, and Ann Singletary; and brother in law, Herb Varner.


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Burial Date: January 4, 2011