Herbert Botzet

Herbert Nicholas Botzet, the son of Henry and Anna (Roers) Botzet, was born on August 6, 1925 in Leaf Valley Township, MN.  He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Millerville through the eighth grade.  Herb worked on his family’s Century Dairy Farm for his entire life growing crops and raising livestock.

Herbert was united in marriage to Elaine Pekulick on May 16, 1950, the first couple to be married in the new St. Mary’s Catholic Church (which is currently the Great Hall).  Together they bought a farm and started a family.  Five children were born to this marriage, Donald (deceased), Mary Ann, Donna, LaVonne, and Thomas.  Elaine died suddenly from a brain aneurism in 1969, leaving Herb to care for his children.  With the help of his family and friends, Herb raised his children to become strong, independent, and hardworking individuals.

Herb was a man who never slowed down.  He worked several jobs driving milk truck and delivering farm equipment while maintaining the family farm.  In his later years, he worked for BAC Industries, assembling approximately one million tarp grabbers.  Herb always loved to go for a drive to look at the crops, the countryside and of course, go for ice cream.  He enjoyed sitting outside, breathing in the country air, and listening to the sounds of the wind, leaves and animals.  Herb also liked to go fishing and to care for his many German Shepherds over the years.  He will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

Herbert N. Botzet died on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 92 years old.  He is survived by his children, Mary Ann Janey of St. Joseph, Donna Strommen of Glenwood, LaVonne (John) Kerfeld of Duluth, and Tom (Amy) Botzet of Buckhannon, WV; nine grandchildren, Lyle Janey of Italy, Josh (Ranell) Strommen of Big Lake, Doug (Tristan) Kerfeld of Hermantown, Dan (Amanda) Kerfeld of Duluth, Christina (Kyle) Kirkham of Rochester, Katelyn Kerfeld of Duluth, Justin Botzet of Annopolis, MD, Jordan Strommen of Minneapolis, and Angie Botzet of Buckhannon, WV; 12 great grandchildren, Sarah Janey, Nickolas Janey, Carter Strommen, Reese Strommen, Sierra Strommen, Addelena Strommen, Calvin Kirkham, Amara Kerfeld, Cora Kerfeld, Braylee Kerfeld, Brody Kerfeld, and Connor Kerfeld; sister, SuAnn (David) Lusty of Miltona.  Herb was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elaine, infant son Donald Henry Botzet, and granddaughter Megan Botzet.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville, MN.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 4-7 PM with a Prayer Service and KC Rosary beginning at 6PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  A second visitation will take place at the church for one hour prior to the mass on Friday.     Interment will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Leaf Valley Fire Department and Auxiliary.