Ann Releaf Boals was born August 15, 1919, in Clinton, Minnesota to John C. and Addie A. (Swezey) Johnson. She attended country school and one year of high school in Ortonville. On May 18, 1940 she was married to Victor M. Boals in Clinton. During World War II they lived in Minneapolis for two years otherwise they spent the remainder of their lives in Appleton. Ann worked a number of years in housekeeping at the Appleton Hospital and Nursing Home and also at the Methodist Church. She also worked four years for Fingerhut. Ann's greatest accomplishment was being a homemaker, wife, and mother to her family. Her home was her favorite place to be and time spent with family and friends was very important to her. She particularly enjoyed family reunions, spending time with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and helping with church activities. Christmas gatherings and attending candle light services were very special times for her. Ann died on Tuesday morning, July 22, at Appleton Area Health Services. She had attained the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 7 days. She is survived by four children: Jerald Boals of Apple Valley, Richard Boals of Richfield, Victoria (Paul) Berge of Brookings, SD, and Roberta Platow of Appleton; nine grandchildren: Angie (John) Wente, Scott (Anna) Platow, Shawn (Sarah) Platow, Jeffrey Erickson, Jill Erickson, Lori (Richard) Nash, Renee (Danny) Hoy, Kim Boals, and Korey Boals; 13 great-grandchildren: Jamie (Cody) Hager, Ashley and Jacob Wente, Victor Tovar, Tessa Johnson, Kassidy and Hunter Platow, Kari and Courtney Karlovich, Brianna Hoy, Kendal and Rachel Abrams, and Shanna Walstad; six step-grandchildren, Kathy Statema, Rosemary (Dave) Pfeiler, Barbara (Bill) Shegstad, Bobby Boals, Diane Brown and Debbie DESposato and several step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Victor, on December 6, 1966; two step-sons: Charles and Robert Boals; her grandson, Greg Erickson; two sons-in-law: Kenny Erickson and Roger Platow; two daughters-in-law: Cindy Boals and Shirley Boals; and her sister and brother-in-law Edith and Alvin Ruthenbeck.
