Obituary of Douglas Boden

Douglas Erwin Boden of Camrose passed away peacefully on December 15, 2016 at the age of 59. Doug was born in Camrose on August 10, 1957 to Heinz and Dorothy Boden and was raised and attended school in the Edberg area. Doug grew up with seven siblings Gary, Rick, Greg, Shelley, John, Lenard, and Cheryl. Growing up, Doug enjoyed many years of 4-H, school sports, hockey, baseball, Scouts and helping out on the family farm. Winning the county baseball championships in 1974 where Doug played first base was a highlight. This huge victory called for a celebratory night out.....Doug stockpiled friends and teammates into Heinz's Grand Marquis, even crammed people into the trunk....and off to the drive-in theatre in Camrose they went! Doug was known for his happy-go-lucky attitude and fun adventures. At the age of 18, he moved to Camrose and continued to work for the family business, H. Boden & Sons Construction. Doug was a hard worker and very experienced in operating ANY and all heavy equipment. He was a master of many things but certainly operated a loader and grader like no other. His career led him to many long haul trips, sometimes several trips a week, even tackling the extreme....ice roads trucking. He could load and haul anything....always guaranteeing the job was well done! One of Doug's greatest passions was handling horses and he loved to hitch up his Dad's team to give rides. This lead to an interest and an opportunity to work a bit in the chuckwagon circuit with Rick Frazier and Lee/Ray Adamson which Doug enjoyed immensely. He so loved being a part of the racing environment. Doug was a people person and had many friends far and wide. He loved to have fun and lived his life accordingly. Being the thoughtful and kind man he was, Doug always made time for his Mom and Dad....he cared deeply for his parents. Heinz and Doug spent hours sharing their love for rodeos and chuckwagons....comparing memorabilia and stories. Once his Dad relocated to Sunrise, Doug was always the one to make sure his mom had the help she needed on the place. Being sure roads were plowed, machines were working and Mom was watched over...his big caring heart was always there for them. Doug's love for animals was evident when it came to his companion Chaz...the big black lab who undeniably was everyone's dog! He loved to take his buddy on road trips and was always ruining this dog's strict diet by spoiling him! Doug's greatest pride and love of his life was his son Clayton. He valued his father/son time and right to the very end he often expressed how proud he was of his boy. Clayton was his life.... Doug is survived by his son Clayton Boden of Camrose; his parents Heinz and Dorothy Boden; siblings, Gary (Florence) Boden, Rick (Isla Mae) Boden, Greg (Marj) Boden, Shelley (Vern) Swedberg, Lenard (Tammy) Boden, Cheryl (Scott) Cunningham; and sister-law Shauna Boden, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother John Boden, his grandparents Lena and Clarence Bakke, and John and Frieda Boden. Doug will be greatly missed, he is no longer in pain... he is free... He will now enjoy eternal and everlasting life. We know he will watch us from above guiding our way. Always in our memories, forever in our hearts, until we meet again... ......we love you Doug! A Funeral Service was held at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2016 from the CityLights Church with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Liver Foundation, or to the charity of one's choice.