BOSLER, Kenneth William 1936-2000

BOSLER, STOLTENBERG, MATZEN DEGROOT HUBBARD THORBERG

Posted By: Diane Johnson (email)
Date: 1/2/2003 at 07:06:25

BOSLER, KENNETH WILLIAM 1936-2000
Funeral Pamphlet
Kenneth William Bosler was born September 2, 1936 in rural Inwood, Iowa the son of Leonard and Luella (Stoltenberg) Bosler. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord. When he was twelve years old Kenn contacted polio and received much medical treatment but throughout the rest of his life exhibited no outward physical signs of the disease. In 1944 the family moved to the Alvord, Iowa area where Kenn grew up and completed his education, graduating from Alvord High School in 1954. On July 13, 1957 Kenn was united in marriage to Janice Matzen at Canova, South Dakota. After their marriage Kenn and Jan returned to the Inwood area where he worked for Bill DeGroot trucking in Inwood. Later they lived in Larchwood, Iowa where Kenn worked for Hogan and Faber Construction driving gravel truck. Kenn also worked for a while at Grotewold Chevrolet in Larchwood. In around 1960 they moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa when Kenn began working as a mechanic for Don Hubbard Implement and later Rock Rapids Ford. In 1966 Kenn took a position with the Iowa Department of Transportation in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The family returned to Rock Rapids in 1984 when Ken was promoted to supervisor of the DOT. During his life Kenn was an avid collector of full sized tractors and toy implements including International Harvester but especially John Deere. He was also very knowledgeable in all of the different models of John Deere tractors from the 1930's to the present and was able to spot style and ornament inaccuracies in paintings of tractors. He was very fussy in everything he did, whether it was his work or hobby. He was a charter member of the Granite Threshermen's Association, the Two-Cylinder Club and the Red Power Association and enjoyed going to gun shows and experimental aircraft shows including the Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin. Kenn was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids and was a past Deacon. At home Kenn enjoyed gardening and his family fondly remembers his gift of drawing. In the fall of 1982 Kenn developed heart problems and underwent heart surgery. He recovered and returned to work, retiring in December of 1997 after thirty-one years with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Last Thursday evening Kenn suffered an apparent heart attack and died at the Merrill Pioneer Community hospital in Rock Rapids.

Surviving is his wife of forty-two years Janice of Rock Rapids, two sons and their spouses Keith and Laura Bosler of Rock Valley, Iowa; Kurt and Anne Bosler of Brandon, South Dakota, along with four grandsons Ethan, Dillon, Travis and Alex. Also surviving are two brothers and their spouses Jim and Rita Bosler of Inwood and Wayne and Sharon Bosler of Alvord. Preceding Kenn in death were his parents.

Born: September 2, 1936, Inwood, Iowa
Died: May 4, 2000, Rock Rapids, Iowa
Funeral Service: Tuesday, May 9, 2000 at 1:30 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Rev. Henry Thorberg, officiating.
Special Music: "Wind Beneath My Wings" sung by Carol Childress, Selected Musical CD's, Marian Schnepf, Organist
Honorary Casket Bearers: Members of Granite Threshermen's Association
Casket Bearers: Scott Bosler, Ryan Bosler, Shawn Bosler, Greg Kahl, Bill Bosler, Tim Bosler, Nathan Matzen, Todd Klinger
Interment: Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Alvord, Iowa
Arrangements by Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids