Ronald Boe, 94, Owatonna
Ronald Boe passed from this life to his eternal reward on April 1, 2026.
Ron was born into a Norwegian American family in Isle, Minn., on Sept. 4, 1931, and graduated from Isle Public School in 1950. Ron defined his life by three core pillars: his service as a Navy veteran, his devotion to God, and his dedication to his extended family.
Ron was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Pacific region. Proud to serve his country, he began his Christian faith journey while in the Navy.
Ron lived over half his life with diabetes, but with unwavering discipline, he didn’t allow a chronic diagnosis to define him; instead, it paved the way for his career in service.
After his time in the Navy, Ron graduated from college and began a teaching career. He spent 28 years at the Owatonna High School teaching courses in business education. He was instrumental in establishing a partnership program that provided local office training for students. Post-retirement, Ron volunteered as a disability advocate in the Mora and Hinckley area, facilitating career success and workplace accommodations.
Having grown up in the Mille Lacs Lake area, Ron had a lifelong love for hunting, fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Ron was a dedicated family man: many of his wife and children’s favorite stories are the ones created on the summer vacations he planned. Ron was a man of steadfast faith, dedicated to a daily routine of prayer and study. His commitment to the church was evident through his many roles, especially as a teacher, allowing him to share his faith and impact others. A lifetime of church solos and choirs left him with an internal songbook that played until his very last breath. Even as his body failed him, he used his remaining strength to sing along with a beloved hymn the day before he passed.
Ron is survived by his wife, Mary; they were looking forward to celebrating their 70th anniversary. He is also survived by his sons, Mark (OHS ‘75) (Joni) of Owatonna; and David (OHS ‘79) (Ann) of Buffalo, WY; grandchildren, Andy (Mattie) Boe, Matt (fiancée Vanessa Sorvaag) Boe, Aaron (Jayna) Boe, and Selby (Shawn) Steiner, and great-grandchildren, Ingrid Boe, Henrik Boe, Reilo Sorvaag, Quinn Sorvaag, Rory Sorvaag, and Gabriel Boe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ragnvald and Anna; sisters, Iola Taylor and Helen Linder; brother, Donald; and granddaughter, Callista Boe.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Timberdale and caregivers of St. Croix Hospice for the kindness and compassionate care shown to Ron during his journey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Gideon’s Charity.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. Full military honors will follow the service, and a luncheon will take place at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date.