Lillian Ruth Boese

Lillian R. Boese 

Pewaukee -- Lillian Ruth Boese (nee Haefeli), born on October 10, 1946, was reunited in heaven with the love of her life, her husband, Gil K. Boese, PhD, Milwaukee Zoo Director Emeritus, on June 24, 2024. She is survived by their beloved blended family: Sara Ramaker, Jay Ramaker (Lara), Ann Boese (David Laughlin), Peter Boese (Lynn) and her special grandchildren: Tyler Boese, Austin Boese, Emily Boese, Ryan Ramaker & Kyle Ramaker. She is also survived by her wonderful Wisse Family & her niece & nephew, Deidre & Michael Haefeli. Lillian was predeceased by her mother, Lillian Haefeli, her father, Howard Hillabrant, her stepfather, Jack Haefeli, and her brother, John Haefeli.

Lillian was born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey. As a child actress and model, she attended and graduated from the Professional Children’s School for the Performing Arts in New York City. Her stage name was Kim Haley. She appeared in many TV commercials, documentary films, magazines, played “Alice” on the Patty Duke TV show, was a “Breck Girl,” and her portrait is at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. She attended Northwestern University & graduated with a BS and MS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Lillian’s career in the Greater Milwaukee area included being Executive Director of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, the River Revitalization Foundation, the Milwaukee Ballet, the Leukemia Society, the UW-Waukesha Foundation, Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Public Museum & Vice President of the America’s Freedom Center Foundation at the War Memorial Center.

Being a volunteer was an important part of Lillian’s life. She was a Girl Scout Leader, President of the Atwater PTA, a board member of the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha, Vice Chair of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation in Madison, a Corporate Advisory Board member of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, an Officer with the USO of Wisconsin, an elected Trustee of the Shorewood Village Board, a member of The Foundation for Wildlife Conservation Board working in Belize, and many other organizations.

Because of Gil’s work in conservation worldwide, Lillian had the opportunity to travel to China, Japan, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Virgin Islands, Galapagos Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, India, Nepal, Australia, Europe, and many countries throughout Africa. She recently enjoyed her 44th safari in Africa. Three special projects were near and dear to her heart: Milwaukee County Zoo, Runaway Creek Nature Reserve in Belize, and the LEWA Conservancy in Kenya.

Memorials to honor Lillian may be made online to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (www.zoosociety.org), LEWA USA (www.lewa.org) or The Foundation for Wildlife Conservation which manages Runaway Creek Nature Reserve (www.runawaycreekbelize.org). 

“A celebration of life is being planned for Lillian at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County. Details to be announced.”

Yonke and Son Funeral Home

205 Prospect Ave, 262-691-1900 Pewaukee