Bolt, Ralph L. 1909-2002

BOLT, VANDER WEST, VANDER WILT

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/5/2005 at 21:49:51

PELLA - Ralph L. Bolt, 93, of Pella, died Saturday, Sept. 28, at Pella Regional Health Center in Pella.

His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Sheldon Starkenburg officiating and the Rev. Kenneth Havert and the Rev. William Huyser assisting. Burial: Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Memorials: "Back to God Hour" or the building fund of Des Moines Christian Reformed Church. Visiting hours are open today at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella, with family present 6:30-8 p.m. today.

Ralph Lambert Bolt was born Feb. 8, 1909, in Lucas, Mich., to Anna Vander West and the Rev. Ralph Bolt. He attended Sully Christian Grade School, and graduated from high school in Grundy Center in 1927. He then attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., and graduated from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines.

On Sept. 6, 1934, he married Maggie Matilda Vander Wilt at her parents' home in Pella. They lived in Monroe for a short time before settling in Des Moines.

Ralph was a specialized meat cutter in Des Moines for 46 years. He retired from Fulton Meat Market in 1980, and they returned to Pella, where they lived the rest of their married life.

They enjoyed traveling and made many trips to Texas and Alabama. They also enjoyed walking. Ralph helped establish Des Moines Christian Reformed Church in Des Moines; they were charter members and brought many nurses to services there. After moving to Pella, they joined Calvary Christian Reformed Church. Ralph had served on the board of Christian Opportunity Center in Pella.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret M. Bolt of Pella; two daughters and sons-in-law: Shirley Ann and the Rev. Kenneth Havert of Grandville, Mich., and Mary L. and Larry Bogaard of Leighton; four grandchildren and spouses: Leanne (Havert) and Ben Harkema of Hudsonville, Mich., Kevin and Shaunette Havert of Hudsonville, Mich., Brenda (Bogaard) and Duffy Hunter of Columbia, Mo., and Blane and Carolyn Bogaard of Pella; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law: Marvin and Gladys Bolt of Grandville, Mich.; and a brother- and sister-in-law: Tone and Dorothy Vander Wilt of Oskaloosa.

The Oskaloosa Herald, September 30, 2002