Alvin "Blacky" Boger, 82, Garrison, died on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at a Bismarck hospital. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be in the spring at the Garrison City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9 to 8 at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

Alvin Norman Boger was born September 23, 1931 to Daniel and Wilhelmina (Horning) Boger on a farm east of Garrison. He was the ninth of eleven children and attended Snow Township School through the 8th grade. A teacher gave the nickname "Blacky", because of his dark hair and she had another student with the name Alvin. He was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison.

He was once married to MaryAnn Walcker and from this union, two daughters were born. He married Doris E. Ellis on October 21, 1984.

Some of his life's work included farming, driving truck for Northern Improvement Co., and operating the Lakewood Motel with his wife, Doris. He enjoyed tending to his yard, visiting, and had a knack for remembering names and how everyone was related. Blacky had a great sense of humor even through his illness and he was always young at heart. A certain grandnephew remembers him hanging from the clothesline pole by his knees, much to his amazement. He was also a generous man. He and Doris would bake Christmas cookies together and make special deliveries to people all over town.

After battling Myelodysplastic Bone Marrow Syndrome and Leukemia for over a year, our brave, strong Dad is now at peace with the Lord. We thank everyone for their many thoughts and prayers during this difficult journey.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Doris, Tioga; daughters, Robyn (Tom) Atkinson, Bismarck, Jill (Lee) Weinhandl, Mandan; step children, Linda Fretland, Tioga, Larry Ellis, Velva, Marshall Ellis, Fredrick, CO, JoAnn (Matt) Kerzmann, Upham; six grandchildren; Joshua Atkinson, Bismarck, Kelli (Dan) Erdmann, Fargo, Derek Atkinson, Rochester, MN, Scott Atkinson, Bismarck, Jenna Weinhandl, Bismarck, Cody Weinhandl, Mandan; 12 great grandchildren, and 18 step grandchildren; brothers, Fred (Gert) Boger, Turtle Lake, Edwin (Shirley) Boger, Bismarck, Bill (Beverly) Boger, Garrison, Leo (Cathryn) Boger, Stanley, and John J. (Jean) Boger, Acampo, CA; sisters, Marlene (Jerome) Bauer, Coleharbor, and Ruby Boger, Garrison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Emma Halquist and her husband, Arnold, brothers, Elmer Boger, and Rueben Boger and his wife, Dorothy.