Neil Boyum, age 83 of Zephyrhills, FL and formerly of Dundas/Northfield, MN area and Kelly Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, June 11, 2023, at the Gulf side - Rucki Hospice Care Center in Zephyrhills.
Neil Iver Boyum was born July 4th, 1939, to Oscar and Winifred (Theilbar) Boyum. He was raised in Dundas and attended school in Dundas and Northfield High School. Out of high school, he worked various jobs as a taxi driver, mechanic, meat cutter, business owner/sales. Later in life he attended and received his B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State. He was President of the Range Center in Chisholm and then taught in the Chisholm and Hibbing Independent School District until his retirement in the 2000 – 2001 school year.
He enjoyed many camping trips to Voyageurs National Park, numerous states including several excursions to Alaska, several cruises to the Panama Canal. He also was an avid and knowledgeable fisherman and always was the best host for family and friends on outings to Rainy Lake, Lake Namakan, Lake of the Woods, Alaska, and Lac Suel – Ontario, Canada. There were always fish to clean, shore lunches and a couple for the freezer. He always had time for a cup of coffee and enjoyed visiting and stories with the many family and friends with much laughter wherever he went. He enjoyed watching NASCAR (he owned and built several race cars in the mid-late 60’s to race at Elko Speedway and Raceway Park), listening to live music and karaoke. He attended and enjoyed services at the New River Church – Zephyrhills.
Survivors include his special friend Nancy Register of Zephyrhills, four sons, Brian (Darci) of Northfield, Michael (Alvera McReynolds) of Northfield, Paul of Minneapolis, and Eric (Jeff Rainwater) of Festus, MO, two grandchildren, Amanda Boyum of Northfield, and McKenna Boyum of St. Louis Park, two great-grandchildren, Patron and Payton Dunagan of Northfield, a sister Arlene Williams of Dundas, sister-in-law Marlys Boyum of Elysian. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Norman, Stanley and Roger, sisters-in-laws Arlis (Arly) Boyum and Joyce Boyum and brother-in-law Edward Williams.
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.
A celebration of life service will be held later.
