Kenneth M. Bolson

Friday, June 15, 2018 1:29 pm

Kenneth M. Bolson, 90, of Decorah, died Wednesday evening, June 13, 2018, surrounded by his family, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Richard Simon Hanson officiating. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation was from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 17, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Monday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Kenneth Mahlon Bolson was born March 18, 1928, the son of Stephen B. and Esther Rebecca (Lovestuen) Bolson in Decorah. He attended Decorah Community Schools.

He was united in marriage to Grace Arlene Vine June 15, 1949, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. This union was blessed with eight children: Linda, Kenneth Jr., Veronica, Julie, Pam, Jane, Wayne and Scott.

Kenneth worked his whole life with his father, then with his brothers, in the family-owned painting business until his retirement. He liked auctions, woodworking, making shelves, etc., his coffee group at Ruby’s, going to the riverboat casino in Marquette, fishing, watching westerns, playing cards, and most of all, his family. He enjoyed all their activities. Kenneth was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah.

Kenneth is survived by seven children: Linda Steffes of Zumbrota, Minn., Kenneth Bolson Jr. of Cresco, Julie (Terry) Scheidel, Pam Huffman, Jane (Terry) Elsbernd, all of Decorah, Wayne (Sue) Bolson of Cresco, and Scott (Jill) Bolson of Decorah; 23 grandchildren: Rodney (Jen) Steffes, Steven Steffes, Holly (Chris) Hotlen, Rachel (Joe) Allen, Nicole (Daniel) Baarts, Bethany (Dylan) Schrage, Janel (Kyle) Olendieck; Brian Scheidel, Chad Scheidel, Jennifer (Leif) White, Brittany Scheidel (Josh), Crystal Huffman, Jamie Huffman, David (Kelly) Farley, Amanda Elsbernd, Jeremy (Rachel) Elsbernd, Kayla (Justin) Smith, Tyler Bolson, Jenna Bolson, Destyn Bonelli (fiancé Darren Vick), Hanna Bonelli and Andrew Bonelli, Abby Bolson; 27 great-grandchildren: Ryan Steffes, Ashely Steffes, Katie Steffes, Jacob Tietz, Morgan Hotlen, Logan Hotlen, Casie Hotlen, Elisbeth Hotlen, Justin Allen, Ben Allen, Hollen Baarts, Nolan Schrage, Shade Ollendieck, Bjorn White, Declan White, Nina White, Jaden Torgerson, Gracelyn Torgerson, Clairissa Huffman, Trinity Peters, Nicholas Farley, Kaylie Wemark, Alex Farley, Annabelle Elsbernd, London Greer, Kyleigh Smith, Alyce Bonelli; one brother, Spencer (Carol) Bolson of Decorah; one sister-in-law, Donna Severson of Calmar; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Esther Bolson; his wife, Grace, Dec. 31, 2014; one daughter in infancy, Veronica, in 1952; four brothers: Raymond Bolson March 16, 2004, Hubert Bolson March 7, 2009, and infants, Arnold Jan. 18, 1922 and Milford July 16, 1923; and one son-in-law, Milton Huffman.