Paul G. Boetticher, age 98, entered eternal life Saturday, January 22, 2005, at this home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Paul moved to Las Cruces two years ago from Dillon, Montana, and his winter home in Yuma, Arizona. He was born May 26, 1906, in Melrose, Silver Bow County, Montana, the fifth of ten children to Otto and Ella Boetticher. He married Verla Ruegsegger on August 22, 1940, in Preston, Idaho. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan, Utah Temple in 1945. He attended schools in Melrose and graduated from Butte High School in 1924. Upon graduation from telegraph school, he became a telegrapher, agent and train dispatcher on the Union Pacific Railroad and was a member of the Union and Order of Railroad Telegraphers. Paul worked on Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Oregon, until his retirement in 1973. After his retirement from Union Pacific Railroad he was employed by the DI Hardware for 10 years in Dillon, Montana, retiring in 1984.

Paul was also an ardent horticulturist. He always kept one of the prettiest yards in Dillon and his flowers won several blue ribbons at the county fair. During his career at the Union Pacific Railroad, Paul raised several plants which were donated to the University of Western Montana upon his retirement.

He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as the Ward and Stake Sunday School Superintendent, Elders Quorum President, Ward and Stake Clerk, Councilor in the Bishopric and High Priest Group Leader. He sang with the Ward Choir and the Latter Day Sounds. Paul and Verla served a one year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida and the Virgin Islands.

Paul was also very active in the Dillon community, serving several years as a worker, board member and president of the Dillon Community Concert and as an alderman on the Dillon City Council.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years; two sisters, Mabel Little of Big Fork, Montana, and Eleanor Stephens of Dillon, Montana; two sons, Rick P. Boetticher and his wife Glenda of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and D. Mark Boetticher of Tucson, Arizona; a daughter, Patricia Ann Boetticher of Manhatten, Kansas; six grandchildren, Wendy Boetticher and Tracy Garcia of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Kelly Arnold of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jannlyn Mundy, Krystina Ludlow and Levi Ludlow of Clemson, South Carolina; and eight great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parent; four brothers, Carl, Otto Jr., Keith and Bill; and three sisters, Francis, Julia and Gladys.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 27, at the Benson-Horsley Funeral Home, Malad City, Idaho. Funeral services will held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Funeral Home Chapel with burial following the the family plot at the Malad City Cemetery.