Obituary of Joe Bolen

The family of Joe Bolen are deeply saddened to announce Joe's passing on March 27, 2007 at the age of 74 years. Joe left home at the age of 15 years in 1947. He went to Ontario where he worked in a bowling alley for three months. In 1948, he went to Surrey, BC and worked at the Brick Yard. He went logging with brothers Larry and George in BC. In 1949, he worked at Chillico Ranch near Williams Lake for one and a half years. In 1952, Joe went to the oil patch and worked there for twenty two years, starting at Eastend, SK in to points in Alberta and BC. Joe started with the boilermakers in 1968 and stayed working for them until he retired in 1993. He went to a couple shutdowns later- Prince Albert in 1998 and a week up at Lloydminster. Joe was also blessed with two sons, Mike and Kenneth, who also took up the boilermaker's trade and worked along side their Dad for a number of years. Mike is still with the boilermakers as supervisor in Estevan at Boundary Dam and Kenneth is from Dalmeny at present. Joe and Edith got together in 1992 and moved to Davidson, SK and on to Estevan where he was employed. In 1995, together they bough a half section of land in the Shell Lake area to raise a little grain and hay for his ponies. Joe enjoyed hooking up a four horse hook on the sleigh in winter and driving down the country roads and out into the filed making figure eights, teaching the colts left and right turns. Joe and Edie loved going to horse sales in Saskatoon, auction sales throughout the summer and picking up odd tools needed for the farm. Going to the chuck wagon shows with their camper for the weekend was their enjoyment. Joe was loving, thoughtful and kind. He loved going out for coffee with friends and neighbors and was also a good provider for the home. He will be remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife Edith Guhl of Shell Lake, SK; his sons Michael (Lois) Bolen of Estevan, SK and Kenneth Bolen of Dalmeny, SK; his stepchildren Brenda Allchurch (Lee Roy Smathers) of Red Deer, AB, Blaine Guhl (Joanne Klischuck) of Christopher Lake, SK and Dean Guhl (Charlotte) of Ponoka, AB; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren and 2 great step grandchildren; his sisters Rosemarie Laroque and Marie MacDonald; his half sisters Anne Nelson, Louise Amos and Willimina Fisher; his step brothers and sisters Nick (Ernestine) Bolen, Casper Bolen, Annie Franson and Clara George; his mother in-law Ellen Overgard of Spiritwood, SK; his sister in-law Beatrice Bolen; his step sister in-laws Ernestine and Doreen Bolen as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. He was predeceased by an infant daughter; his parents George and Anna Bolen; his first wife Wanda; his brothers George and Edward Bolen; his half brother Fred (Jean) Baginski; his step brother Lawrence Bolen; his brother in-laws Simon Laroque and Wayne MacDonald; his half brother in-laws Alex Nelson; Roland Amos and Bill Fisher; his step brother and sister in-laws Bill Franson, Jim George and Betty Bolen. The funeral service was held on Monday, April 2nd, 2007 at 2 p.m. from the Belbutte Full Gospel Church in Belbutte, SK with Rev. Leigh Sinclair as the officiant. The eulogy was read by Lisa Rascher and a tribute was given by Willie Klarenback. The music director was Claire Schira who sang In The Arms Of An Angel and I'll Accept A Rose. Congregational hymns were Peace Is Flowing Like A River and Amazing Grace. An honor guard was formed by all boilermakers present. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Joe's life and the active pall bearers were Ed Jaster, Ed Watier, Lloyd Jaster, Adam Smaltz, Richard Battersby and Carsen Battersby. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shellbrook & District Hospital Equipment Fund. Joe was laid to rest in the Bapaume Cemetery.