Joseph S. Bolyard
October 18, 1925 -
January 4, 2015
US Veteran
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 Info
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.
Posted by:
Brenda HammondMr. Bolyard, wow. How do I describe your impact on my life? My love for music began when I was very young, but it was the radio and television. It was not until attending Lincoln Jr. High School, that my love grew to include classical, jazz, show tunes, marching bands, and so on. My love of music today, over 25 years later, is not just enjoyment or respecting different types of music. It IS part of my life. Music is where I turn in happy times and sad, in frustration or confidence, when angry or hurt. I do not go a whole day without music and this love was cemented in place by your wonderful teaching style and your appreciation of each student's learning style. You very obviously loved music as if part of your soul, but you also loved teaching just as much. You were always supportive of students while we were going through the out of control hormones of becoming teenagers. You were a constant in the lives of your students and you always welcomed us back when we came to visit you. I know in my heart, once you are settled on the other side after reconnecting with your loved ones, you will be joining the bands and choirs to continue your love of music forever. Thank you so much for your help in cementing my love of music into my life forever. Sending my condolences to your family and friends that are hurting so much at this time. I hope that knowing how huge your impact is on the lives of so many gives them a bit of comfort knowing your legacy will continue on forever. Much love and thanks.
Posted by:
Michael HintzmanThe fond memories I have of Mr. Bolyard are too many to mention. I'll always look back on my days as a member of the Lincoln Jr. Hs. Band with pride and gratitude. I feel luck to have had him as a teacher. I still share with my students many stories and one of his popular statements: "Get the music in your head, so you can get your head out of the music". I was also very proud to be a part of the sax choir that went to state playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". And who can forget "Latina" in American Band. I didn't know it at the time, but its clear to me now the impact he had on my life as I enter my 21st year as a band director. ~ Michael Hintzman, alto saxophone, LJH '82-'85
