Mahlon Philip Boehler

Mahlon Philip “Sam” Boehler

Mahlon Philip “Sam” Boehler passed from this world on September 23, 2021 going on to meet loved ones who proceeded him in passing

Sam, age 82, was born December 20th 1938 in Isabel South Dakota to Philip and Lottie Boehler. His family where ranchers/farmers southwest of Isabel. He attended the first 8 years of his education at the Isabel Public School. For his High School education Sam attended Boarding School at the Northwest Lutheran Academy at Mobridge South Dakota. Sam also attended collage for a short time at what is now Northern University at Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was taking civil engineering courses at this time. Sam was a Licensed General Engineering Contractor in the state of Nevada

Mobridge South Dakota was only about sixty five miles from the Boehler ranch, however the road between Isabel and Mobridge a poorly maintained gravel road plus the area was subject to fairly tough winters. Consequently Sam only made it home during his high school years for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. During the early summer months of his high school years he came back and worked on the ranch where most of this time was spent putting up hay to feed cattle for the winter season. For the later summers he worked at an auto salvage yard in Baker, Montana that was owned by his aunt and uncle, Lester and Delores Paulson.

The late 1950’s were tough on ranchers in the region, due to drought and poor cattle markets. Sam being mechanically inclined did not show much interest in ranching or farming so he headed west riding his thumb. He landed in the Livingston, Montana area about the same time that a major earthquake struck northern Yellowstone Park. Contractors brought to repair roads and bridges in the park where badly needing equipment operators. This was his first job in road and bridge construction. Although he was just a kid he was given responsible Jobs, One being a crane operator on a bridge construction Job.

The construction of the Interstate Highway System was in full swing throughout the nation at this time. Sam continued to always have responsible Jobs from Foreman, General Foreman to Superintendent for various heavy construction companies in the southwest region of the US. Primarily Nevada contactors.

Sam Married Donna Ashby from Burly Idaho, in September of 1959. Donna had two sons at the time of this marriage. Sam adopted these sons Patrick and Craig. Sam and Donna were blessed with two additional Sons, Rance and Adam.

In the mid nineteen seventies, Sam met and Married Bonny Cress from Elko, Nevada. Bonny had a son Tim at this time. Sam and Bonny wanted to find something in the Elko area that would allow Sam to put his construction skills to work and change the fact the he had to travel far from home to work on and manage construction projects. In their quest to find something local, Sam had his eye on an out of business Grading, Paving, and Sand and Gravel Company located at the southeast edge of Elko. He and Bonny pooled their assets to purchase what was basically wore out and outdated equipment, naming their new company Boehler Construction. Along with this purchase they were able to negotiate rights to pay royalties for product used to the owners of the onsite Gravel Pit.

Fortunately Sam was a good mechanic and welder, which what was needed to bring this equipment back to life. Due to the phenomenon of being in the right place at the right time; this company was started about the same time the gold mining boom started in northeast Nevada which brought much prosperity to the region. Sam and Bonny put in all they had for thirty two years to bring this defunct company from the grave to a very successful company at the time they elected in 2007 to sell the company and retire.

Sam is survived by Sons Adam (Tami) Boehler, Burley, Idaho; Craig (Lisa Cumerow) Boehler, Fallon, Nevada; Stepson Tim (Lisa) Cress, Spring Creek, Nevada; Daughter-in-Law Corene Boehler, Corinth, Texas; Special Niece of wife Bonny, Alyce (Larry) VanBlarcom, Elko, Nevada; Sisters, Sharon Jackson, Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Fran (Willard) Guffey, Gillette, Wyoming; Brother, Larry Boehler (Charleen), Henderson, Nevada: nine Grandchildren and twenty two Great Grandchildren, plus numerous Nieces and Nephews

Sam was preceded in Death by his Wife, Bonny Boehler; Son Rance Boehler; Son, Patrick Boehler; Parents, Philip and Lottie Boehler

Due to covid restrictions, Graveside Service will be held On October 9, 2021 with family and invited guests. This will be followed by lunch and a Celebration of Sam’s Life, open to all at City Park beginning at 1:00 PM.

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