Alvin Booms

Mr. Alvin Booms, 91 of Minden City, passed away January 7, 2022 as a candle flickered, Catholic Songs of Comfort played, the rosary was prayed and his hands were held by his daughters.

He was born on November 11, 1930 in Harbor Beach, to the late Roman and Teresa (Lautner) Booms. He married Audrey Gentner on May 11, 1968 in Ruth, MI and they were very happily married for four short, yet incredibly loved filled years.

Alvin was raised in Harbor Beach, MI and was a graduate of the Ashmore country school. After graduating he worked on the family farm as well as working with his father to build freezers. He was a farmer for over 50 years, working with his siblings and nephews on land in Huron and Sanilac counties. He was very proud of the part he played in food production and after his retirement wrote “what I miss the most is the relationship between me and the soil—to till the soil, smell the soil and watch it grow living plants. The soil is truly alive!”  He had a small saw sharpening business he ran out of his shop, was involved in Sts. Peter and Paul church (president of the Parish Council) and served on the Board of Directors of Ruth Farmer’s Elevator, Booms Construction and Thumb Products. He was a learner all through life, enjoyed reading, hunting, wood working, taking seasonal trips to the UP alone or with friends, spending time in the woods and growing house plants. Alvin was known to be a “thinker of things” and loved to spend time talking with others about his thoughts on everything under the sun. He also enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.  Alvin lived a life full of gratitude and wrote “I didn’t accomplish anything without the help of family, friends, neighbors and most of all God.”

Alvin is survived proudly by his two daughters and their children:  Ann and Bob Gifford, Gracie, Mitchell, Lily, Maxwell, and Phoebe of St Johns; Julie and Gina Angeli, Macie, Avery and Cayley of Ypsilanti; two brothers, George (Arlene) Booms of Minden City, Dan (Marge) Booms of Harbor Beach; one sister, Marie (Joe) Kannikal of Littleton CO, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Hilary Susalla of Washington Township, Marilyn Bornais of Ortonville and Dennis Gentner of Ruth.  He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family as well as many neighbors and friends who felt the positive impact of Alvin in their lives.

Alvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Audrey; three brothers, Floyd, Herb and Cliff Booms, his little sister Norma Essenmacher, two brothers-in-law Jake Essenmacher and Richard Bornais, and three sisters-in-law, Pat Booms, Grace Susalla and Karen Gentner; three nephews, Scott Booms, Dan Booms, Tim Essenmacher.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 am Thursday, January 13 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Holy Apostles Parish in Ruth. Rev. Matthew Federico, pastor will officiate. His final resting place will be next to his beloved wife, Audrey, in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Ruth.

Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 pm. And Thursday at church from 9:00-9:45 am. There will be a Knights of Columbus rosary Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Donations may be directed to St Joseph Catholic School 201 E. Cass Street, St Johns MI 48879, care of Ann Gifford,  memo line: In Memory of Phoebe’s Grandpa.