Josephine Mildred Boken

Josephine Mildred Boken, the daughter of Nels B. and Martha Heilesen Nelson, was born August 24, 1912, in Harlan, Iowa and died September 15, 2009, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 97 years and 21 days.
Jo grew up on a farm west of Elk Horn, Iowa. She attended rural school and graduated from the Harlan High School with the Class of 1931. Jo then taught in rural schools for two years. Later Jo, over a number of years, obtained her Bachelor Degree in Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1966.
On June 16, 1933, she was united in marriage to Hans C. Boken in Atlantic, Iowa. Two sons Wendell and Gordon were born to this union. Jo was a homemaker for many years helping Hans on the farm and raising her family. In 1950 Jo returned to teaching in rural schools. She taught elementary school in Audubon from 1960 until she retired in 1977. Jo and Hans lived on the farm until they moved into Exira in 1968. Hans died in 1978. Jo enjoyed her home, then moved into an apartment in 1999. Jo moved to the Exira Care Center on August 31, 2009.
Jo was baptized and confirmed as an adult on July 10, 1932, and attended the Exira Christian Church for many years. Jo was a member of the National Education Association, the Iowa State Education Association, and the local Retired Elementary Teachers Association. Jo enjoyed flowers, volunteering at the Congregate Meals, enjoyed playing cards and was a member of several card clubs.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her sons: Wendell Boken and Gordon Boken; her son-in-law, Arden Mosman; her parents; her brother and wife, Everett and Lou Nelson; her sister and husband Gladys and Edward Bergloff; and her niece, Beverly Bristle.
Survivors include her daughters-in-law: Sharon and husband Lyle Shaver of Atlantic, IA and Charlotte Mosman of Carroll, IA; her grandchildren: Brian and Amy Boken and Blaine Boken, all of Lewis, IA; Julie Boken of Carroll; Christy and Rod Dennis of Clear Lake, IA; Deborah Hall of Denver, CO; her great-grandchildren: Ryan Dennis of Boone, IA; Emily Dennis of Des Moines, IA; James Dennis of Boone; Ashley and Nate Mohr of Ute, IA; Paige Boken and Jesse Boken, both of Atlantic; Dylan Boken and Kylie Boken, both of Lewis; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery , Bowman Chapel in rural Guthrie County, IA.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends from 10:00 A.M. Friday until time of service at Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Memorial services will be conducted by Pastor Alan Finestead on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.