Obituary of James R Boatman

James R. Boatman, 88, of Saginaw, Minn., passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 at Solvay Hospice House, Duluth. James Richard Boatman was born Oct. 22, 1926 at Minneapolis, the son of Freida (Martwick) and step-father William Boatman. Jim attended school near Palisade, Minn., until the age of 16, when he went to work at Diamond Tool and Horseshoe Company in Duluth and retired after 45 years. He served honorably two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, then returned to Duluth and married Gladys Steffen on June 20, 1953. Jim and Gladys spent their early married years in Proctor, Minn., and then moved to a home that they built with their own hard-working hands near Munger, Minn. Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, including many epic trips to remote Canadian lakes, and spending time with his beloved family and friends. James is survived by his wife, Gladys; daughter, Gail and son, James, Jr. (Debra); grandchildren Matthew (Jackie), Brittney, Mackenzie and Niklas; great-grandchildren Bria and Brooklyn; sister, Katherine (Edward) Sailer; and many nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank the staff of Lakeshore Ecumen, the Essentia Hospice team and Solvay Hospice House who took wonderful care of Jim and his family. GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL: 11 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 6 at Solway Township Cemetery, Maple Grove and Van Gassler Road, and a gathering of family and friends at Solway Town Hall, Highway 2 and Munger Shaw Road following from 12 Noon to 2 p.m.