Deihl Boots

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 P.M. Friday May 10th at the First Baptist Church, Park Rapids, MNVISITATION : 1 hour prior to service on Friday.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : His daughter, Candace Boots of Vancouver, WA and granddaughter, Allison Atkinson, of Washington; three great grandchildren; his sister, Leta Boots of Phoenix, AZ; his brother, Darrell Boots of Park Rapids. DEIHL N. BOOTSOctober 4, 1910 ~ May 4, 2013 Deihl Norman Boots, age 102 of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.Deihl was born on October 4, 1910, in Cresbard, South Dakota to Howard and Bertha Boots. He was one of eight children. As a young boy, he moved with his family to North Dakota where they farmed; he later moved again as a young man with his family in a covered wagon to northern Minnesota. In 1942, Deihl joined the National Guard and later the United States Army where he proudly served his country during World War II. He was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea. After his honorable discharge, Deihl made his home in California where he met and married Eve Harris. This union was blessed with one daughter, Candace Lynn Boots. After moving to California, he worked for a time in the tire business and then in the chicken business. From there, he became employed at Sunkist Corporation, where he worked for over 20 years before retiring in the early 70's. He then moved to Michigan where he met and married Irene. They eventually made their home in Park Rapids, MN. He later was united in marriage to Clara Wills and they made their home in Park Rapids where much of his family resided. Deihl was very active and had many hobbies. He loved cooking, gardening and caring for his numerous indoor plants. He also enjoyed traveling and did a lot of that in his retirement. It was also during this time that he became an adept real estate investor. He lived independently in his own apartment until age 101 when he moved into assisted living. In October of 2012, he became a resident of Heritage Living Center. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Senior Citizen Center, both of Park Rapids. Deihl will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Candace Boots of Vancouver, WA and granddaughter, Allison Atkinson, of Washington; three great grandchildren; his sister, Leta Boots of Phoenix, AZ; his brother, Darrell Boots of Park Rapids and numerous nieces and nephews. Deihl was preceded in death by his parents, four wives, three brothers (Algae, Percy and Murillo) and two sisters (Vergie and Tressa).Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday May 10th at the First Baptist Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held for 1 hr. prior to the service. Pastor Joshua Hawn will be officiating. Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.