It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David Leo Boehnen on January 27, 2023. David was born December 3, 1946 in Mitchell, South Dakota, the son of Lloyd L. Boehnen and Mary Elizabeth (Buche) Boehnen Roby.
David is a visionary leader and a devoted member of his community. A distinguished supermarket executive and attorney, David received his JD, summa cum laude, from Cornell Law School and his BA from the University of Notre Dame.
David was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in 1971 and served as Executive Vice President of SUPERVALU from 1991 to 2011, overseeing legal, real estate, corporate development and government affairs. Prior to joining SUPERVALU, David was a partner at the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis. He is also a real estate investor, private equity investor, and works on unique startups.
In addition to his professional achievements, David was a connoisseur of the arts with a passion for theatre, opera and orchestra, and will be remembered for his many philanthropic endeavors. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, the Board of Trustees of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the Board of Trustees of the Guthrie Theater, and the Board of Trustees of Saint Louis University. Thomas School of Law and the University of Notre Dame College of Arts and Letters Advisory Board, and former member and chair of the Cornell Law School Advisory Board.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shari, and their children Lesley Casillas (husband Julio and children Sofia and Alex), Michelle Negri (daughter Isabella) and Heather Meeker (husband Dave and children Charlie, Josephine and Sarah). David is survived by his brother Daniel A. Boehnen of Chicago and his sister “Vikki” who died in June 2021.
David’s family and friends will remember him as a talented and compassionate man with deep roots in Mitchell, South Dakota, and living part-time in Naples, Florida. His dedication to Notre Dame, his family and his community will not be forgotten.
Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Minneapolis on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 noon.