On November 21st in the year of the Lord 2014, Andrew "Andy" Boekhout returned to the loving embrace of his heavenly father, at the age of 91.

Andy was born in Mobridge, SD, on October 11, 1923, to C.M. and Thea (Hollingstad) Boekhout. From the age of 3 ½ to 7 the family lived in Rapid City, SD, before moving to Phillip, SD, where he was an active child, loving sports and music. Andy sang in the church choir from the time he was in the 6th grade and performed in school plays and musicals; he also lettered in basketball as well as track and field. Andy graduated early from Phillip High School in April of 1943, as he had enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served overseas for 30 months in the South Pacific on an oil tanker before being stationed in Hawaii and becoming a medic.

In August of 1949, he met the love of his life, Neva Shedden-Golden, at a dance at the old Hot Springs Auditorium, and they were married July 10th, 1950, in Missoula, MT. Andy and Neva enjoyed 64 years of happiness surrounded by laughter, family, and love. In 1957, the family moved to Fort Pierce, FL where Andy worked as a produce manager. Then in 1966, they moved back to Hot Springs where Andy operated a Farmer's Insurance Agency for over 40 years.

Andy's greatest pleasures in life was spending time working in the yard and garden, spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and leading the Sunday Evening Singing Group at the State Veterans Home for over 10 years. He was also a proud member of The Elks, The Lions, Senior Citizens, The American Legion and The VFW.

Andy's last weeks were spent being taken care of by the wonderful and loving people at the Hospice House of Rapid City, the family would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to all of the wonderful people there that took such great care of Andy, Neva, and the rest of Andy's family and friends.

Andy is preceded in death by his parents C.M and Thea; two sisters, Bernice Jones and Cora Coberly; as well a brother, Teddy Boekhout.

Andy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Neva Boekhout; brother, Corney (Mickey) Boekhout of Rapid City; five children, James Boekhout of Colorado Springs, CO; Barbara Ditmanson of Hot Springs; Marc Boekhout of Pine Haven, WY; Leslie Valandra of Bridgewater, SD; Amy (Bob) Crosby of Hot Springs; ten grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, who thought the world of their Nanu; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday, November 24, 2014, with a small prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm at Chamberlain McColleys Funeral Home in Hot Springs.

Funeral Services will be held 9:30 am, Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs.

Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

In lieu of flowers the family as asked that all memorials be directed to St. Luke's Episcopal Church.