Albert Ernest Boom

Albert Ernest Boom was born January 27, 1929 in Blue Hill, Nebraska to John T. and Anna G. (Novak) Boom. Albert grew up on the family farm near Bladen, Nebraska where he was responsible for helping with the chores, and he helped the family by hunting for some of their meals. Albert attended school in Blue Hill, and graduated from Red Cloud High School. After high school, Albert was drafted into the United States Army, where he served until his honorable discharge in 1959. Albert married JoAnn Placke at Zion Lutheran church in Hastings, Nebraska on February 20, 1955 and to this union, three children were born: Debra Lynn, David, and Kelly. Debra Lynn died shortly after her birth. Albert lived in Hastings for most of his adult life, but moved to Valley, Nebraska in 1997. Albert worked for a time for Montgomery Ward selling tires. He went on to serve as a janitor and facility supervisor for schools in the Hastings Public School District for many years before his retirement in 1986. Albert loved being outdoors and being close to nature. Every year, the family vacation was to Estes Park, Colorado, and he enjoyed working in his garden and still doing some duck hunting with David. Albert spent his free time reading or playing games on his computer. He was also a bit of a health nut, and could often be seen walking around town, if he wasn’t walking on his treadmill at home. He was always willing to watch Dave and Kim’s pets if they were out of town, and he was content just to visit their house and sit by their pond. Albert had a good, but somewhat odd, sense of humor, and his way of teaching both his kids and others was to steer them in the right direction, but not give them the easy answer to their problem. February 28, 1974 was an important day in Albert’s life. On that day nearly 35 years ago, he decided to live life sober. Albert passed away unexpectedly at his home in Valley, Nebraska on December 3, 2008 at the age of 79 years, 10 months, and 7 days. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna, daughter Debra Lynn, brothers Stanley and Fred, and sister Anne Boom. Albert is survived by his son and daughter-in-law David and Kim Boom of Elkhorn, Nebraska, daughter Kelly Boom of Hastings, Nebraska, grandson Scott Boom, and two sisters: Wilma Arsenault of Tampa, Florida, and Louise Rycheky of Crete, Nebraska.

Albert Ernest Boom

January 27, 1929 - December 3, 2008