Ilah "DeLoris" Boehmer

Ilah "DeLoris" Boehmer entered the world on June 30, 1929, at the family farm of Sam and Inez (Anderson) Adsem near Derrick, North Dakota. She was called home to the Lord on May 5, 2026, after residing at Edgewood Senior Living in Grand Forks, North Dakota, since October 2022.

DeLoris attended school in Derrick and later earned her GED in the 1970s, demonstrating her lifelong determination and commitment to learning. On June 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, Leonard Boehmer, in Hettinger, North Dakota. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and farming.

Over the years, DeLoris and Leonard lived on several farms in the Edmore area before settling on the Boehmer Homestead Farm. In 1973, they purchased the old Lutheran parsonage in Edmore, where countless family memories were made and where DeLoris remained for many years.

Throughout her life, DeLoris held a variety of jobs, including working at the Edmore Café, the Nekoma Missile Site, and serving alongside Leonard as custodians of Concordia Lutheran Church. No matter where she worked, however, her heart was always on the farm.

Farming was more than an occupation for DeLoris—it was her passion. She treasured every opportunity to climb into a tractor or combine and work alongside Leonard. They were true farming partners in every sense of the word. After Leonard's passing, she continued farming with her son, Jimmy, cultivating fields and assisting with the harvest whenever possible. Her love for the land never faded, and she continued working in the fields and running the combine until she was 90 years old. She was especially proud that Jimmy continued the family's farming legacy.

Beyond farming, DeLoris's greatest joys were her family and her love of fashion. As a young woman, she displayed remarkable creativity by designing clothing patterns from newspaper and sewing beautiful outfits from fabric remnants. Later in life, sewing gave way to shopping, which became one of her favorite pastimes. With her characteristic wit, she often joked that there was a reason a car had a trunk—to hold her latest clothing purchases—and that a man had no business looking inside unless she needed the spare tire.

Shopping trips with her daughters and granddaughters became treasured traditions, especially when searching for the perfect prom dress. She delighted in every detail, from the dress itself to finding just the right shoes, purse, and jewelry. Helping them look and feel beautiful brought her tremendous joy.

DeLoris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard; her parents, Sam and Inez Adsem; three infant siblings; her brothers, Harold Adsem, Herbert Adsem, John Adsem, and Richard Adsem; her sister, Dorothy Bartel; her son-in-law, Richard Allard; her grandchildren, Joshua Boehmer and Megan Boehmer; and her great-granddaughter, Gracie Samuelson.

She is survived by her three children, Margo Allard; James (Jimmy) Boehmer and his girlfriend, Pauline Mack; and Judie Boehmer (John Lydon); her grandchildren, Kimberly Allard, Jess Allard, Ali Waind and her fiancé, Doug Freije, Kayla Samuelson (Erik Samuelson), and Samuel Boehmer (Brandi Boehmer); her great-grandchildren, Allyssa Allard, Taylor Waind, Zander Waind, Jacob Samuelson, Bentley Boehmer, Abby Samuelson, Aiden Samuelson, and Haisley Boehmer; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

DeLoris leaves behind a legacy of hard work, unwavering faith, deep love for her family, and countless memories of laughter, strength, and perseverance. She will be remembered for her determination, generous spirit, unmistakable sense of style, and the joy she found both in a freshly worked field and in a well-filled shopping bag. Whether she was behind the wheel of a combine, helping a granddaughter choose the perfect prom dress, or sharing a laugh with family, DeLoris embraced life with enthusiasm, grace, and grit.

Her life was a testament to resilience, partnership, faith, and love. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Special thank you to the staff at Altru Hospital, as well as the staff at Edgewood Senior Living in Grand Forks.

Funeral Services for DeLoris will be on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, Edmore, ND with burial in the Edmore Cemetery.