Louvain M. Boettner

Louvain Mae Boettner passed away December 11, 2025, at Valley Senior Living on 42nd, in Grand Forks, ND with family by her side. Services will be at Calvary Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 17th with visitation at 10:00 AM and a service at 11:00 AM followed by a fellowship luncheon. Services will be officiated by Pastor Rachael Puttbrese with interment at Memorial Park South Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed from Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page. 

Louvain Senjem was born on May 27, 1933, the daughter of Joseph Oliver and Laura Violet (Johnson) Senjem, on the family farmstead 2 miles south of Oslo, MN in Dodge County. She graduated from Hayfield High School in 1951 after which she worked at Tiegens Oslo Store. She waitressed in area restaurants before taking a job at Usem Chevrolet in Austin, MN. Louvain was looking for some adventure, so she applied and was accepted into the TWA flight attendant program. She decided against it to ease her mother’s concerns and worries. Instead, she moved to Atlanta with a friend and got a secretarial job with Sears Roebuck & Company. She recalled people at work noticing and commenting on her platinum blonde hair. Louvain was able to travel the world with her husband, family and friends later in life.

In 1953, Louvain returned to southern Minnesota where she reconnected with Dale Boettner who had recently returned from his service in the US Air Force. Louvain and Dale were married on April 3rd, 1954, at Evanger Lutheran Church, Sargeant, MN and they lived in Austin, MN. In December of 1960, they packed up their 2 young sons and moved to Grand Forks, ND to start a HVAC contracting business, Air Control Heating. In 1978, they sold Air Control Heating to Dale’s partner and started their own business, Custom Aire. Louvain helped in the office by typing letters, processing payroll and helping Dale in the bidding process. She also was busy running the household with their 5 active but perfect sons as she described them when asked.

In September of 1974, Louvain and Dale started a new adventure and bought a lake home on West Battle Lake in central Minnesota. The lake became a special family gathering place and where they met amazing lifelong friends. Many seasons were spent boating, swimming, water skiing, snowmobiling and enjoying numerous campfires. Today her 5 sons and their extended families still enjoy spending time at West Battle Lake. Louvain had a zest for living and enjoyed having her family and friends around at home and the lake.

Louvain is survived by her children: LaMar (Mary Jo) Boettner, Edina, MN; Scott (Jodi) Boettner, Grand Forks, ND; Randy (Peggy) Boettner, Grand Forks, ND; Gary (Suzanne) Boettner, Alexandria, MN; and Daniel (Shari) Boettner, Moorhead, MN; brothers: Robert Senjem, Kasson, MN; and Donald Senjem, Hayfield, MN; Grandchildren: Brianne (Chad) Rasmussen, Eric (Khonsavanh) Boettner, Zachary (Rachel) Boettner, Chelsea (Jason) Boettner, Rachel (Gregory) Obernesser, Jesse Boettner, Paul (Shelby) Boettner, Shelby Boettner, Isaac Boettner, Samuel Boettner and Maggie Boettner. Great-Grand Children: Eleanor, Hadley, Clara, Bennett, Ava, Macyn, Penelope, Oliver, Blair and Annabelle and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Louann Lindquist and brothers Wayne Senjem and Verlyn Senjem.

In thanks for the excellent care that Louvain received, memorials may be directed to Valley Senior Living on 42nd or HIA Hospice.  Blessed be Louvain’s memory.