Elwin Arthur “Joe” Boren passed away on May 10, 2021.

Joe was born to parents James and Ester Boren on Sept. 11, 1932 in Fruitdale, Idaho and attended school in Crane.  

After high school Joe enlisted in the US Navy in 1953, and served on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington and the submarine tender USS Bushnell with a rank of Fireman FN. He received the National Defense Service Ribbon, and was honorably discharged Nov. 5, 1959.

Joe was later employed by KLM Royal Dutch airlines, and retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1973. 

Well known and liked in Harney county, Joe helped many people and worked for Harney Rock and Paving as well as Queen’s Jackpot store in Hines.

Among the things Joe loved doing was hunting and fishing (top of the list), shooting, traveling and church pot lucks! Joe enjoyed his bowling league at Lariat Lanes and was “High League Bowler”.  

A gun specialist, he was particular about his guns and enjoyed reloading his own ammunition.  “He knew guns”, as they say. Even with all of his gun expertise, Joe was known as a loving, kind man.  

Beginning in January of this year, Joe traveled to Bend and endured dialysis treatments several times a week and never complained. He regularly teased the Home Health and Hospice nurses and kept everyone on their toes!

Joe was a member of the American Legion Harney County Post #63, the Burns Elks Lodge #1680, and the Life Foursquare Church in Burns.

Joe is survived by his loving life partner of 20 years, Patsy Ann Weick-Boren; son, Alan Arthur Boren (Robin) of San Diego; daughter, Sindy Finstad (Eric) of Coral Springs, Fla.; brother, William Boren of La Grande; stepbrother, Ben Cordova; stepchildren, Sara and Gary McFarland, Bill and Jennifer Angleton, Jr., DiAnna and John Nolin; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who all knew him as “Papa Joe”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Martha May Boren in Nov. of 2000.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date. For now, Joe is just dancing on streets of gold and just smiling!