Darwin Lyle Boehler 90 of Rapid City passed away Sunday August 6, 2023

A Christian Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday August 11, 2023 at Blessed Sacrament, with Very Rev. Timothy S. Hoag J.C.L. as Celebrant. Burial will follow the luncheon at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

Darwin Boehler began life in a farmhouse south of Pollock, SD on May 19, 1933 as the second son of Edward Boehler and Gladys (Overseth) Boehler.

Darwin attended rural school in the Gayle School District for two years and transferred to Hillside School District until completion of elementary school. He attended high school in Pollock, SD from the fall of 1947 until graduation in the spring of 1951.

While growing up doing a variety of farm work, it became apparent that farm life was far too labor intensive and the workday too long to hold appeal as a life endeavor. A college education seemed to offer the best hope for change, so off to college it was.

The pursuit of a college degree was interrupted by the Korean conflict and a call to duty with the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his military obligation, it was back to college at Northern State in Aberdeen, SD where life took a significant turn. It was during the first year of the return to college that a new lifetime partnership was entered in the form of marriage to Gwen Schwall, a charming and intriguing beauty.

Following graduation from Northern State, Darwin worked as a traveling salesman for Proctor and Gamble. Separation from Gwen and a growing family sparked a lifetime career path in finance, insurance, and real estate. This new career included a move to Sioux Falls and later to Rapid City. Retiring in 2008, Rapid City remained his home.

Darwin is preceded in death by Gwen, his life companion for 57 years; his son, Bob; his parents, Ed and Gladys; one brother, Norbert; and brother-in-law, Dean. He is survived by his son, Russ (Cara); daughters Julie (Kevin Ratliff) and Shelly (Brian Loeffler); daughter-in-law, Cathy; brother, Don Boehler; sister, Jan; eleven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Fervent defenders of individual rights and freedom, Darwin and Gwen leave a legacy of four strong, solid families. A LIFE WELL LIVED.