Obituaries
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Joseph S. Bolyard, age 89 of Kenosha, died peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Brookside Care Center.
Born in Williston, ND on October 18, 1925, he was the son of the late Raymond W. and Helen L. (Stickel) Bolyard. He was a 1943 graduate of Minot, ND High School.
From 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Joseph was proud to be a part of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight on September 21, 2013, with his son, David as his companion.
After his military service Joseph attended North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music with a minor in math and history from Minot State Teacher’s College. In 1954, he received his Master’s degree in Music from the University of Iowa. He also earned 24 additional credits by attending Vandercook School of Music in Chicago.
On June 1, 1952 at Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred, ND, he was united in marriage to Ethel Melby. Sadly after 52 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on December 21, 2004.
Joseph was employed as an instrumental music teacher with Farmington High School from 1956 until 1969 and Lincoln Jr. High School from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. He taught 5th and 6th graders instruments before the Continental and American Marching Band were in existence. Joseph was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1979 and the Distinguished Service award in May, 1984.
He was a member of Holy Nativity Lutheran Church and their church choir. Joseph additionally was a member of Phi Sigma Pi, the Corinthian Masonic Lodge No. 67 in Farmington, MN and the Scottish Rite. For many years he volunteered with the Shalom Center Soup Kitchen. He was a light hearted people person with a great sense of humor.
Joseph will always be remembered by his children, David L. (Heather) Bolyard and Susan R. (John) Checki; his grandchildren, Nathan J. (Hope) Bolyard, Kali L. (Kurt) Behlmer, Andrew Checki and Rachel Checki; his great grandsons, Chase Joseph and Charles Ashton Bolyard; his sister, Mary Lois Carolyn; and his special friend, Joy Sanders.
Service Date January 10, 2015
Funeral Services with full military honors following will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 2313 17th Avenue. Private entombment will be held in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
