Benjamin Lavern Bokma

Benjamin LaVern Bokma of Great Falls, MT passed from this earth on March 13, 2021, of natural causes in his home. Dad was born to Peter and Lila Bokma on May 2, 1932 in Conrad, MT, and was raised on the family farm west of town with many family members and good friends in the community. He graduated from Conrad High School in 1950, then attended Montana State College on an Air Force ROTC Scholarship, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1954 with a degree in Agricultural Education, which included student teaching in Deer Lodge, MT. Along with his new bride, Maureen DeMars of Denton, MT. He enlisted in the United States Air Force flying KC97 refuelers. After completing his service in 1957, they returned to the family farm west of Conrad before moving to Denton in 1959, farming and raising four children. They later farmed with son Randy and his family, remaining to help with seeding and harvest until 2005. He is survived by wife, Maureen; son, David and fiancé Ronda, Great Falls, MT (Michael and Bre, Hunter, Jake, Tate, and Tinley); son, Randy and Kelly, Denton, MT; Tyler and Annie; grandchildren, Jenna and Zach and Emersyn; Conner and fiancé Ashley; daughter, Teresa and Pete, Caldwell, ID grandchild, McKinley; daughter, Lori, Meridian, ID grandchildren, Chase, Andrew, Julia. He is also survived by his niece, Dairdre Walth of Conrad, MT. Dad spent many days working on shop projects, enjoying operating and repairing farm equipment, and watching his crops grow and mature. He had fond memories of his years in the Air Force, and thoroughly enjoyed attending all of his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic events. He enjoyed bowling with his Coffee Creek teammates, shooting trap at the Coffee Creek Rod and Gun Club, and was a director for the Coffee Creek Farmers Union. He was a Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners fan, and enjoyed touring the Oregon coast. His last years were spent in Great Falls, enjoying his many card partners and neighbors. He also loved old country music, especially Chet Atkins and Roy Clark, and drives in the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Genevieve Walth and her husband Jerry Walth of Conrad. A graveside service and reception will be held in Lewistown, MT, in late July, time and date to be announced later. We sincerely express our appreciation to Dad’s neighbors at Queen’s Court in Great Falls, with a special thanks to John Floerchinger and his father, Glen, for including Dad in their many day trips through the countryside and to the family farm in Denton, and to the first responders.