Avery Martin Boose, "Mr. Boose", passed away Monday December 24 ^th at Red Oak Rehab & Care Center in Red Oak, Iowa where he had been a resident for the past year at the age of 90 years, 4 months and 16 days.  Avery was born August 8 ^th , 1928 to A. Martin and Amanda (Frederiksen) Boose. He was raised in Elk Horn, Iowa graduating high school at the age of 16 and named "Best Boy" in his class. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served as an electrician's mate on the USS Sierra. He enrolled in Simpson College in 1949 and graduated in 1953. During this time, he met Phyllis Menefee at a dance and they were married April 13, 1952. Avery was awarded 9 varsity letters at Simpson, for baseball (4), basketball (3) and football (2). In college he batted over .400 and as a center fielder never missed an inning of play in four years. In 1979, he was inducted into the Simpson College Hall of Fame.

Avery started his teaching and coaching career in Stanton but moved to Red Oak to teach mathematics in 1957. It was at this time he became a high school official for multiple sports stating "I started officiating to supplement my income and then I did it because I enjoyed being around the kids. I had a lot of fun". The "fun" lasted for 39 years. When his daughter, Barb, was in high school he volunteered to be the coach of the first girls' softball team at ROCHS. He taught school for 34 years and always enjoyed hearing from his former students. After he left teaching, he worked for the Iowa Lottery until 1992.

Avery was very active in the Red Oak community. During his 17 years on the Park Board, Chautauqua Pavilion was renovated, the new swimming pool was built, Dutton, Wilson and Kelly Parks were established. He was also a Montgomery County Supervisor from 1992-1996. For 40 years, he was a proud member of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor. One of the highlights of his life was being included in a 2010 Honor Flight as a WWII veteran.

Avery was a Lifetime Member of the Elks Lodge 1304. He held several positions during his 57 years: Exalted Ruler 1968-69, District Deputy for SW Iowa 1969-1971, State President 1975 and spent 30 years on the National Scholarship Committee. He took his family on many trips to the Elks national meetings and had unbelievable stamina behind the wheel of a car.

His hobbies included doing puzzles, baking cinnamon rolls and coffee cake, reading, and following Duke University basketball. Baseball remained his favorite sport and he was a lifelong Yankees fan. He and his son, Jim, attended the Drake Relays together for almost 45 years. Avery had a huge garden every year and especially looked forward to his home-grown tomatoes. Until his health declined, he was a member of the Rainbow gang who met weekly for coffee to discuss and solve the world's problems.

Avery was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Melvin and Ivan.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Phyllis, and two children Barb (Peter) Harte of Cleveland OH and Jim Boose (Barbara) of Urbandale, IA. He was thrilled to become a grandfather and enjoyed his grandchildren: Erin and Brian of Cleveland, OH and Jim Jr. and Rachel of Urbandale, IA.

Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 pm on January 3 ^rd at the Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in Red Oak.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 10:30 am January 4 ^th with a luncheon to follow. Private burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Avery Boose Scholarship Fund, C/O Barbara Harte, 2184 N St. James Parkway, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.