Ingeborg C. Boelkins' Obituary
Ingeborg Charlotte Boelkins, 91, passed away in Bradenton, Florida, on Friday, December 27, 2024. She leaves behind her three children: Ann (Rick) Raley, Dr. Mark (Peggy) Boelkins, and Eric (Melissa) Boelkins, as well as her grandchildren: Kristin (Jared) Rinehimer, Dr. Kevin (Dr. Sheida) Raley, Kimberly (Dr. Jonathan) Hekman, Dr. Bradley Boelkins, Mikaela Boelkins, and Maija Boelkins. “Inge” was also tickled to enjoy visits from and digital updates about an additional seven great-grandchildren. Additionally, she maintained strong ties to two younger siblings and their families in Germany: Volrad (Petra) Doehner, Dorothea (Wolfino) Drost, and brother-in-law Fritz Deppert. Inge was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, Anneliese and Kurt Doehner, and her siblings, Gabriella Deppert and Wolfgang Doehner. Born in Berlin in April 1933, Inge moved with her parents to Rome as an infant where they stayed for ten years until required to return to Germany due to the changing political environment. As a school administrator concerned for the welfare of all his students, Kurt found ways to deviate from protocols required by Nazi authorities, but this created hardships later for him and his family along with three years of unemployment as a result of the Allies’ denazification process required of him as a civil servant. Having found work in Mainz, Inge and her father lived together in a simple apartment to save money to send home to the rest of the family. It was while working behind the counter of the American Express Company that Inge met Robert Boelkins, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving as a dentist for an army battalion near Mainz. Inge’s job entailed helping customers with their travel plans and making various opera reservations. “Bob” was increasingly intrigued by Inge, ratcheting up his visits to her counter, until eventually he asked her to go with him to the opera. In remembering this time, Inge always mentioned that Bob was convinced of predestination working in the background to bring the two together. Their courtship lasted only a few months until Bob returned to Muskegon Heights in October 1953 to reopen his dental practice. Although they were married in April 1954 in Marburg, Germany, Inge had to wait 5 months for her visa to be finalized before she finally arrived in the US. Inge and Bob raised their three children in Muskegon where Bob practiced dentistry for 45 years, then lived in Spring Lake, returning to Muskegon until Bob’s death in 2018. Shortly thereafter, Inge moved to Bradenton, Florida, where she lived close to her son Eric’s family. While her children were growing up, Inge chauffeured them to many lessons and games and served frequently as room mother at Glenside School and as a crossing guard. She later received training and worked as an LPN for 3 years before accepting a new position at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where she worked for 10 years developing their International Exchange program. Inge volunteered as a VBS, Sunday School, and youth group leader at Covenant Reformed Church in Muskegon Heights, and she and Bob both volunteered as reading tutors at Nelson School. She and Bob eventually became longtime members of First Presbyterian Church in Muskegon, where both sang in the choir and volunteered in many capacities. Inge will be lovingly remembered by her family for her infectious laughter and sense of humor, her love of travel with Bob, her devoted care of Bob–especially in his last years, her delight in her immediate and extended family in the U.S. and Germany, and her desire to always be connected to a faith community, even during her final days. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 2577 Wickham Dr., Muskegon, MI. A luncheon with time for visitation and fellowship will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Presbyterian Church. Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 759-8565
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