ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Albert Boettcher Jr., 91, of Altenburg died Sunday, July 7, 2019, at his home.

He was born Aug. 1, 1927, in Janesville, Minnesota, to Albert and Rosa Schultz Boettcher. He and Heidi Schulz-Netzer were married May 18, 1963, in Altenburg. She preceded him in death Oct. 7, 2016.

"Junior," as he was known to friends and family, was born in Minnesota, but his family moved to Altenburg when he was an infant. He enjoyed Midwest farm life in the 1930s and '40s, following the wheat harvest west to Montana. It was an experience he remembered and talked about for the rest of his life.

In 1951, he was drafted into the Army. Since he was the youngest son, his mother, Rosa, was able to bring him home after a year under a hardship clause. His three surviving brothers at the time had all been drafted into the Army as well, two of them serving on the front lines.

The West had captured his attention, and although he was happy to come home to the farm, he enjoyed his Army days at Camp Carson in Colorado. He loved the area so much he honeymooned there with Heidi in 1963. During the 1950s, he spent his time farming and working various jobs of that nature. In 1959, he found a job opportunity that would keep him self-employed for the next 50 years. He learned to artificially inseminate cattle. He traveled to farms in the surrounding area to service small dairy and beef herds. He was still visiting one or two farms occasionally until a stroke in 2013 left him unable to drive.

He was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Missouri, serving as elder over the years, singing in the choir for most of his life and making pork chops for the annual church picnic.

He had the entire collection of Louis L'Amour novels, and when he could no longer see well enough to read, he listened as narrators brought to life the stories of his beloved Western lands.

He is survived by 11 children, including nine daughters, Barbara (Gary) Bierman of Chester, Illinois, Deborah (Gary) Brees of Jacob, Illinois, Jo (David) Rhodes of Jackson, Elizabeth (Brad) Moore of Huntersville, North Carolina, Maria Bartoe of Old Appleton, Rebecca Boettcher of Alaska, Ruth Kennedy of McCall, Idaho, Sara (Phillip) Wallace of Wappappello, Missouri, and Stephanie Boettcher of Altenburg; two sons, Timothy (Kari) Boettcher and Andrew Boettcher, both of Altenburg; 27 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gertrude Stoffregen and Luella Sigrist; five brothers, Cornelius Boettcher, Hugo Boettcher, infant Gerhardt Boettcher, 9-year-old Ludolph Boettcher and Paul Boettcher; and a grandson, Matthew Bierman.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 6:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Concordia Lutheran Church.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Steven Theiss officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery, with military honors provided by the American Legion and Delta Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Concordia Lutheran Church, Kindred Hospice and KFUO radio.

Ford and Young Funeral Home of Perryville is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.