Jack Denton Boots of rural Claremont passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on August 2, 2023.
Jack Denton Boots was born on August 7, 1928, and was raised in the small town of DeSoto, Iowa. After graduating high school, Jack began a career as a signalman on the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P).
At the beginning of the Korean war, Jack was called to duty and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. Serving from 1950 to 1953. After completing his service, Jack returned to his position on the CRI&P and in November of 1953, took a position as a signal maintainer in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
In September of 1954, Jack met his future wife, Helen Francille McMillan (Fran) while out with friends. They would become husband and wife on July 17, 1955. To this union were born 3 children, Jane Boots, of Louisville, Kentucky; Jennifer Boots, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and John (Sharlene) Boots, of Hudson, Wisconsin. In 1967, after the untimely death of Jack’s brother and wife, they added and then adopted 3 more children into their family, Julie, Kris, and Mike Boots.
Jack and Fran enjoyed traveling throughout their life with family and friends. They traveled overseas with good friends to the United Kingdom, Italy, Egypt, and the US State of Hawaii. They also traveled extensively through the United States and Canada. They enjoyed traveling up to northern Minnesota, where fishing was always a summer highlight with family and friends.
Jack loved playing golf, bowling, and playing cards with local friends. He had a passion for professional sports following both the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings as a true fan. Jack loved to fish and took many young family friends out for their first time, passing on the passion. Over the years Jack participated in coaching youth athletics, teaching many to learn to love the games he enjoyed growing up.
Jack is survived by his children, his grandchildren, Brent (Amy) Boots and Danny (Chelsea) Boots, and his great grandchildren, Psalm Marie, Titus Lee, Esther Loraine, and Amos Guthrie Boots, and many other loved family and friends.
He will also be deeply missed by special friends, the Jan and Jerry Hickman family of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and all those strong family friends in his community that have played such a significant role in Jack’s life. Special notice to the Seykora, Prestegard, and Bartlett families.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Fran, parents Clyde L. Boots and Beatrice Jensen Boots, Brother Clyde J. Boots, and his wife Betty L. Boots.
Visitation was held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Private burial was held in Aurora Lutheran Cemetery.
