Kurt Karl Boche, 81, of Muscatine, passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the Pinnacle Memory Care Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30am, on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church. The Reverend Susan Bantz will officiate the service. Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Kurt was born on July 29, 1940, in Schweinfurt, Germany, the son of Fritz and Babette (Schöner) Boche. He married Sherry Smith on December 30, 1966, in Anna Illinois. They spent the next 45 years raising a family and building a home.
Kurt arrived in America when he was 19 years old and initially worked for Bandag tire. He served, with honor, in the US Army, and later worked for Thatcher Plastics. During that time, he served as a painter’s apprentice to (fellow countryman & mentor) George Schlichting. He and George could be heard singing German songs while they worked outdoors throughout Muscatine and would come to be known as the Singing German painters. After George’s death, Kurt started his own business, “Boche Painting” – which he owned and operated for over 30 years.
Although he always seemed to be working at least one “day job,” Kurt’s true passion was entertaining. He was a gifted guitar player with a beautiful voice as well as being a world class, nationally ranked, Bavarian Yodeler. He performed near and far, throughout the United States, and around the world… Including a jaw dropping yodeling performance at Munich’s world famous “Hofbräuhaus” that required extra security just to deal with the awestruck fans. Big crowds or small, Kurt just wanted to entertain people. He loved performing magic tricks for children in a grocery isle or singing to “sweet little old ladies” as Santa’s lederhosened elf while they visited Lutheran homes during the holidays. He truly was happiest when he was entertaining and making other’s smile.
He loved children and his own grandchildren were at the top of that list. He marveled at their joy, energy, and their wonder of the world. The sound of their laughter would cause him to burst out laughing which then created an unending loop non-stop giggling. He loved and protected his family like a lion caring for his Pride. Everyone who was family could depend on Kurt for his truthful opinion, his heartfelt guidance, his love, or just some help painting a hallway.
Kurt is survived by his son, Craig Boche and wife, Joan, of Marion; two grandchildren, Paige and Marshall, his God-daughter Rebecca Schoenig; six siblings, Regina (Ken) Day, Heidi (Siegfried) Hoppe, Chris (Richard) Schoenig, Herman (Dawn) Boche, Jurgen (Jan) Boche, and Gary (Jean) Boche; and nearly a hundred amazing nieces & nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sherry; and six siblings, Martha (Raymond) Taylor, Gertrude (Ivan) Day, George (Paula) Boche, Wilma (Gerhard) Morenings, Dora (Robert) Wilson, and Franzi (Kurt Stork) – (Gary)Yuhas.
