Frederick “Fred” Eugene Bohm

Frederick “Fred” Eugene Bohm

November 18, 1930 – August 6, 2022

Lawrence, Kansas—Frederick “Fred” Eugene Bohm, son of Charles and Josephine Bohm, passed away peacefully at his home after a brief illness.

Born and raised in DuBois, Nebraska, Fred began a career with the J.C. Penney Company in 1947. He quickly rose to senior management of the Omaha flagship store, then continued as manager of the Leavenworth Kansas store and opened an expanded shopping center location.
In 1970 he left the Penney Company and opened Bohm’s Department Store with his wife, Beverly, and became a mainstay of downtown Leavenworth for almost 25 years. With the closing of the store Fred returned to the Penney Company, serving until his retirement in 2015 at age 85.

Fred cultivated many friendships and life-long associations within the community through Pilgrim United Church of Christ, leading the church for many years. He was currently a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Eudora, Kansas. Fred was a past president of the Leavenworth Rotary Club and Leavenworth Downtown Association and many other community organizations. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and served on the board of directors of Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth. He led many charitable efforts in the area, touching the lives of many people.

Besides civic and business involvement Fred had other interests. Stemming from his childhood “chalk talks” in church, he became an accomplished artist, painting landscapes, biblical scenes and rural life. Fred was a colorful individual with a knack for storytelling and love of a good polka dance. He was the life of the party, yet was motivated by deep faith, his love of family, and compassion for all around him.

Fred is survived by his wife, Sharon Burns-Bohm; daughter, Michelle Bohm Gehring and her husband Louis Gehring; sister Bertha Bohm Broadstone; grandson Karl Gehring and Cara Gehring, and three great grandsons Liam Byrom, Matthew Gehring, and Mason Gehring; stepson Michael Burns and stepdaughter Deana Burns-Alvarez and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly McKee Bohm, granddaughter Laura Gehring Byrom, and brother John Frederick Bohm.

Arrangements
Warren McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel, Eudora, Kansas, Saturday, August 13, 2022
Visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Celebration of Life 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to benefit St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Eudora KS and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.