David John Bolen, 78, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota with his daughters Cheryl and Jennifer by his side.
Dave was born May 14, 1946, in Broken Bow, Nebraska to John L. and Ruth M. Bolen. He grew up on the family ranch with five brothers and one sister. Dave helped his father on the ranch and other neighbors growing up, where he developed his love for fixing things. The Bolen boys were known around the community for cruising around the Custer County area in their '53 Ford cars.
Dave graduated from Merna High School in 1965. He attended college at Kearney and graduated from Denver Automotive Institute. He worked for John Deere in Broken Bow and Loup City. In 1980, Dave moved his family to Alliance, NE, where he worked for Alliance Tractor for many years, traveling to the many ranches in the Sandhills area. He continued his education through company training for diesel mechanics. Later in his life, he worked for the City of Alliance as a mechanic until the closure of the fleet department. He continued to work on tractors, cars, lawnmowers, and bicycles for his girls, friends, and neighbors from his garage in Berea.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his girls when they were young and helping with various 4-H projects like small engine repair as they grew up. Through his involvement in the community and his daughters' activities, he became "dad" to many of their friends. Dave could give a quick smart remark; one of his girls' favorites was, "Thanks a whole hell of a lot". They loved to harass him for it, and of course, he always found a way to harass them back in light-hearted fun.
Dave loved fishing, driving around, gardening, and visiting with friends. His pets, “Cuddles”, "Mister" and "Norman." kept him company at home. In retirement, he spent time traveling with his brothers Joe and Dale.
He always took time to chat with people, sharing updates about his daughters and grandchildren, especially mentioning how beautiful his granddaughters were. He enjoyed stock car races, demolition derbies at the fair, parades with his antique tractors, going to toy shows with his collectibles, and watching the local boys and girls high school basketball games.
He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Alliance Eagles Club.
For the last three years, Dave resided at Hemingford Community Care Center and Highland Park Care Center in Alliance. He enjoyed having friends and neighbors stop by to visit. He especially liked the girls at the nursing home, who continued joking with him.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leonard Bolen and Charlie Bolen, and his sister, Myrtle Babcock.
Dave was married to Patsy from 1969 to 1989, from this union, had four daughters whom he is survived by, Cheryl (Russ) Anderson, Jennifer (Paul) Beichert, Christy (Tabby) Bolen, and Janet Bolen. He is also survived by his brothers, Joe (Darlene) Bolen and Dale (Gerri) Bolen; 8 grandchildren, Devon, Mariah, and Isiah Stewart; Mackenzie and Rudi Anderson; Thomas and Katie Beichert; and Karson Cecil; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Father Matt Koperski will officiate. Dinner will follow the service at the church lyceum.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the following or a place of your choice: Holy Rosary Catholic Church; Alliance and Hemingford Volunteer Fire Departments; Box Butte County Extension Service for the 4-H Building Improvements; Highland Park Care Center Improvement/Activities Fund; or Alliance Eagles Club.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.