Tragedy struck the John Boehm family twice in a matter of months in 1907; once through being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the other through medical complications.

John and Mary Boehm had been married on May 26, 1896, settled in the Muenster district and became the parents of three children.

It was on Thursday, July 7, 1907 that 36 year old John, who was a farmer, was caught in a thunderstorm, and died instantly after being struck by lightning. The incident occurred one and half miles south of Muenster. One of the black leather boots he was wearing at the time contains a hole caused by the lightning. The boots are on display at the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery.

A few months later, on Oct. 30, 1907, Mary died unexpectedly after an operation for appendicitis.

The deaths of John and Mary left their children, Clement, 7, Frances, 4, and Richard 1 & 1/2, orphans. Their uncle, Frank Boehm of Muenster, took charge of the situation, caring for and raising the youngsters. All three children grew up, married and settled in the area. In 1926, Frances married Henry Schreckenberg. They farmed near Muenster for a time before moving to a farm near Naicam

About 1928, Clement married Elenor Shemenauer in Lake Lenore. Richard married Elenor's cousin, Iva Shemenauer, in Lake Lenore in 1937.

All three Boehm children have since died.