VERLA R. BOETTICHER, age 95, entered eternal life Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at her home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Verla moved to Las Cruces in 2003 from Dillon, Montana. She was born in Providence, Cache County, Utah on November 12, 1919 to Rudolph and Bertha Ruegsegger, the 3rd child of five children. The family resided in Daniels and Malad City, Idaho where she attended school. She graduated from Malad High School in 1937. She married Paul G. Boetticher in Preston, Idaho, August 22, 1940. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan, Utah Temple in 1945. She and her husband moved to Dillon, Montana in 1942 where Mr. Boetticher was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher and agent. Verla graduated from the University of Western Montana in 1963 where she majored in education and music. While there she was an active participant in Western’s music program. She was the contralto soloist in Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education in 1967. She taught in the Dillon Public School System for Twenty years: Seven years in Music Education, and the remaining time in the Language Arts Department. She was an active member of MEA-NEA during her entire teaching career.

Mrs. Boetticher was active in music in Dillon and surrounding areas from the time she arrived in Dillon until her departure. She became a member of the Dillon Community Concert Board shortly after her arrival and served in that capacity until moving to Las Cruces. She was a regular soloist at Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon for many years. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all of her life. As a member, she held many positions and calling in the church. Her main calling was a music director at both ward and stake levels. She has directed many choirs and choruses. She was a teacher of a variety of classes and President of Relief Society for eight years. She directed the Latter Day Sounds, and entertaining group for many years. Paul and Verla served a one year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Florida and the Virgin Islands.

Survivors include one sister, June Johnson of Rexburg, Idaho; two sons, Rick P. Boetticher and wife Glenda of Las Cruces, New Mexico and D. Mark Boetticher of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and daughter Patricia Ann Boetticher of Las Cruces, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Wendy Boetticher of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Tracy Garcia of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kelly Arnold of Ankeney, Iowa, Jannelynn Mundy of Anderson, South Carolina, Krystina Jones of Maulden, South Carolina, and Levi Ludlow of Baltimore, Maryland; and twelve great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Verla was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul 2005; three brothers Leland, Eldon, and John. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Malad City Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N. from 11:30 a.m. -12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88005.