Martin “Marty” John Boese, a loving husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, and cherished friend to so many,  passed away at his home on March 2, 2026.  A Celebration of Life service and time to share with family and friends is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, starting at 1:00 p.m., at the Multipurpose Room (former school gym) in Geddes, South Dakota. Lunch will be served following the service, and all are encouraged to stay and visit or stop in throughout the day to visit with the family.

Martin “Marty” John Boese (aka “Bear”) was born December 24, 1950, in the Yankton Sacred Heart Hospital. He was the firstborn of five brothers to Noah “Norm” and Anna “Peg” (McElhaney) Boese.

Growing up, as the family moved for different opportunities, Marty attended multiple grade schools and graduated from Avon High School, Avon, SD in 1969. Marty was always proud to be an Avon Pirate, as Avon always felt like his true hometown.

Marty attended one year of college in Michigan for outdoor/nature conservation, before returning to South Dakota to begin his working career. His career started with R & S Woodworking and Daily Redwood building federal houses. His first masonry job was with Jim “Sid” Williams Masonry from Avon, SD. He spent most of his masonry and stone mason career working with the Williams family. They have always held a very special place in his heart.

When work with them slowed at times, he worked for other companies, in various regions—Singer Masonry, Rapid City; Jensen Masonry, Sioux Falls; S & S Masonry, Wagner; bricklaying in Dallas, TX; cement work in Montana; pipe laydown operator in the oil fields for Wyoming Casing, Gillette, Wyoming; assisting local farmers; Williams Brothers Masonry, LLC; and lastly, J & D Masonry, (Jim Williams, Jr.) Alexandria, SD.

What started initially as a dare at the Tap in Lake Andes in 1973, turned into over 47 years of marriage for Marty & Rita who were married at the Geddes United Methodist Church on June 3, 1978. To this union two daughters were born—Jodi Marie and Jennifer Ann.

Marty had many hobbies and interests. Fishing and hunting would top the list, with some of his greatest memories shared with family and friends. He greatly enjoyed fishing year round in the Missouri River for walleye and whatever surprise may find its way onto the hook; snagging paddlefish to fill tags at Gavins Point Dam & making the Yankton paper in 2005 when he pulled in his own personal record paddlefish of 54 pounds, 53 inches long. He helped instill a love of fishing and the great outdoors in his daughters from an early age, from ice fishing to boat and shore fishing . . . even helping clear & rebait swallowed hooks from bullheads the girls excitedly pulled in two at a time at an area pond. Many memories were made with family holidays/get togethers built around fishing, while also helping Rita run their business, Boese’s Bait & Tackle, for 12 years.

On his first attempt for a Custer State Park elk tag, he was successful in bagging a nice bull elk & also had a chance to elk hunt in Jackson Hole Wyoming. He especially enjoyed hunting pheasants, deer, and antelope over the years.

An eclectic music lover, he enjoyed listening and dancing to all kinds of music, from classic country to rock ‘n’ roll, oldies, Celtic/Irish folk music, and anything with a great beat, melodic harmony, or beautiful story to tell. Just a few of the many concerts he attended that topped the list were the Eagles, Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood, Cher, Journey, Bruce Springsteen, 3 Dog Night, Waylon Jennings, the Statler Brothers, & The Beach Boys. One of his proudest moments was traveling overseas and listening to his daughters sing “Danny Boy” while touring Ireland with the BHSU choir in 2005 . . . as Ireland was always at the top of his dream list for destinations to travel to, with his own proud maternal Irish heritage.

With thousands of miles covered over the years traveling for work, Marty saw many an early sunrise and evening sunset . . . and with camera usually at hand, took many pictures along the way of work projects, landscapes, and times spent with family and friends.

Marty was a true artisan and creative person. Whether it be sketching wildlife and landscape pictures in fine detail for his family or his own enjoyment, drawing up detailed plans for special building projects, coloring or helping his girls with Valentine boxes/projects for school, dyeing Easter eggs, growing and carving pumpkins, and decorating outside for the holidays over the years, he enjoyed the process and the great joy it brought others as well. Even when his own girls were grown, he still enjoyed growing pumpkins—many of which were given to others/family who had children to enjoy the carving/painting tradition.

He kept track of his many travels in journals/calendar pages, and enjoyed penning/sending a letter or card, in his beautiful penmanship, to loved ones when he had the time & always enjoyed each card and letter he received in return. He was a collector of caps—too many to count—but always had room for ‘one more,’ and truly enjoyed shopping for loved ones and finding unique gifts in his travels.

He prided himself as a master craftsman and stone mason, often asked to be the corner-lead man on a jobsite or help with special cuts and arches, as he was very detailed/precise with a strong work ethic; and took many a new tender or bricklayer under his wing over the years to help guide them in the bricklaying/mason trade and troubleshoot anything he may have learned the hard way from experience—be it work or in life. He was a proud member of the Local 1 MN/ND/SD Union, BAC Local Union 15-Omaha, and recently received his Lifetime Membership Award with the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers for his over fifty consecutive years as a member. He left his craftsman touch on many a building, home, or specialty structure, including many local jobs he completed – mailboxes, basements, fireplaces, flower planters, brick/stone veneer jobs, and cemetery/monument brick work.

Although it was tough physical work that often took him many miles from home each week, he loved seeing the finished project and had confidence that it would stand the test of time—part of his own legacy and the impact he left behind on so many. He enjoyed the camaraderie of all the people he worked with over the years who were more like family and friends, the many beautiful places he experienced on the open road, and all the great memories made along the way—too many stories to count/share, with a few a bit more memorable than others. Even in retirement, Marty always looked forward to stopping by the latest job site/project when time allowed or he was traveling through the area, to say hey to the crew and catch up. Bricklaying/masonry was something he was truly passionate about.

Through the years, Marty could often be found with a book or magazine in hand – often a Louis L’Amour western or Bugle magazine as a long-time RMEF supporter, latest fishing/nature magazine, countless seed/gardening catalogs in preparation for spring planting, or area newspapers/magazines to keep up with the news. National Geographic and Time Life collections topped the list, too, as he was an avid fan of history, travel, do-it-yourself projects, and geography. Marty always enjoyed a good laugh, and Garfield was his favorite comic. Marty enjoyed watching everything from old westerns, including Gunsmoke & any Clint Eastwood movie; fishing/hunting shows, to a great comedy, action movie, or PBS. Although he never had one established team, he and Rita always enjoyed a good NFL game on Sunday, and Wheel of Fortune in the evenings.

Catching up with family and friends over the years at reunions, holidays, fishing/hunting trips, or any special event when time allowed was cherished time. He was always up for a good road trip – whether to check out the river, go out for supper, attend area festivals/events, rodeo, a local parade, the Sturgis Rally or Days of ’76, to name a few, and travel to see his daughters. Bowling & golfing from time to time rounded out his many hobbies over the years. Woodworking & metal projects around home often led to large tomato cages/support structures to help protect/grow the large family garden harvest to be canned every year, and pens/homes for the various farm wildlife taken in over the years. As a man with a special eye and talent for dimensions and putting things together, he often led the charge in determining exactly where things should go in the truck/trailer among the many moves he assisted with over the years for his mother and later, his own family and daughters.

He was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He had a compassionate heart for others and animals alike, and if he had not gone into the bricklaying/mason trade, he likely would have been a farmer or conservationist, due to his respect and love for the land and animals. He was a true friend and mentor to many, and he always strived to do the best he could with anything he put his mind and heart to, to leave it better than he found it and encourage others to do the same.

Although he is and will always be so greatly missed, Marty’s legacy will live on in the lives of his family and friends who were blessed to share in his life—his wife, Rita Boese of Geddes, SD; daughters Jodi Boese, Pickstown, SD; and Jennifer Boese (Josh Roadifer) Bozeman, MT. Brothers include Bob (Marla) Boese, Sioux Falls, SD; Dave (Jean) Boese, Yankton, SD; Andy (Brenda) Boese, Sioux Falls, SD; & Barry (Kayleen) Boese, Windsor, CO. In-laws Ron (Sharon) Globke, Canton, SD; Ed (Kathi) Globke, Asheville, OH; Susan Cable, Winner, SD; John (Lori) Cable, Geddes, SD; Irene Lund, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Marty was preceeded in death by his parents, parent in-laws LeRoy & Rose (Hermanek) Cable; sister-in-law, Rosie (Globke) Muilenburg & husband, John Muilenburg; sister-in-law Cheryl (Globke) Strehlow & brothers-in-law Chuck Strehlow & Glen Caldwell; brother-in-law Bill Cable; and sister-in-law Elsie (Cable) Tank.