James "Boone" Maher

James L. "Boone" Maher, 75, Beardsley, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at Grace Home in Graceville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, October 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville with Father Brian Oestreich officiating. Music will be provided by organist Deb Farwell and vocalists Sue Sykora and Kelsey Holtz.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Beardsley.  Pallbearers will be Derek Maher, Mitchell Maher, Greg Frounfelter, Eric Hoffman, Danny Herberg, and Dustin Hartman.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley.  Visitation will continue Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD, is in charge of the arrangements.

James Leo Maher was born on March 27, 1944 to James E. and Margaret L. (Lais) Maher in Luverne, Minnesota.  He lived with his folks near Lismore, Minnesota until 1946 when they moved to Beardsley.  He was baptized into the Catholic faith in the St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Lismore.  He was later confirmed in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley.

Boone attended and graduated from the Beardsley School in 1962.  With this being the time of the Vietnam War, he joined the National Guard to serve his country.

Where upon graduation, Boone did the same as most of us would do.  We venture forth in ambition, energy, etc.  He had a white-collar job for a while working in the bank.  Otherwise he did commercial fishing a couple years, worked for farmers, helped building movers, mowed county road ditches in the summer, and bartended.  Boone eventually got a job working with the REA for 8 years and acquired enough land to be a full-fledged farmer.  After being retired for a number of years, something didn't seem quite right which turned out to be the news we now have from the doctor.

Boone enjoyed fishing, hunting and being a part of the Beardsley card and coffee gatherings.  He was also a Notre Dame and Minnesota Vikings fan.

Survivors include his special friend, Joyce Morris of Brookings, SD; sisters and brothers, Jean Maher (Robley Corsi) of Sun City West, AZ, Joan (Fran) Hoffman of Cottage Grove, MN, Marice Lane of Brainerd, MN, Mike (Debbie) Maher of Clinton, MN, Tom (Lori) Maher of Beardsley, MN, and Kate Maher (Ron Kadera) of White Bear Lake, MN; nieces and nephews, Kelly (Hubbard), Erin (Donaho), Shannon (Wenninger), John Sullivan, Jean, Teresa & Michael Untinen, Christine & Greg Frounfelter, Jennifer, Jonathan & Patrick Maher, Eric & Nicole Hoffman, Corey, Kathleen (Christy) & Gina Lane, Derek, Deidra (Hartman) & Dana Maher, Mitchell & Kearina Maher.

Boone was preceded in death by his parents, James and Margaret Maher; sisters, Marlene Maher, Colleen Sullivan, and Karen Untinen; and brother, Dennis Maher.

*Obituary written by James L. "Boone" Maher.