A joint funeral service for three members of a Millerville Township family who died after accidentally inhaling toxic silo fumes will be held Tuesday in Millerville, Minn.
The tragic farm accident claimed its third life Friday night when 11-year-old Alex Boesl died at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, six days after he, his father and uncle inhaled the gases Dec. 21 inside a grain silo on their family farm.
Alex's father, Curt Boesl, 47, and uncle, Steven Boesl, 49, died earlier.
Alex's aunt, Amy Revering, wrote Friday evening on his CaringBridge site that Alex "danced his way into Heaven at 5:19 p.m." as one of his favorite songs — "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten — began to play from his phone.
On Thursday night, the family had been told after Alex was taken off sedation that he could not survive. Revering wrote then that the miracle the family had hoped for might instead become one for others through organ donation: "Alex's Christmas miracle is giving life to others."
Alex and his father were working in the top of the silo when they were overcome by the fumes, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Another son noticed the two were down and called 911; he also called his uncle, who lived nearby and who, upon arrival, climbed into the silo to try to save his brother and nephew. Steven Boesl was then himself overcome and died at the scene. Curt Boesl died Sunday morning.
A funeral service for all three will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. at the church.
Visitations also will be held Monday at the church on the following schedule: