Gary Russell Bolander

Gary Russell Bolander  of Firth, passed away at the EIRMC on November 3, 2013.

He was born December 22, 1923 to George and Nora  Bolander,  the fifth of eight children. He attended schools  in Shelley, Blackfoot and Firth. After graduation he married Lois Dye on May 24, 1943 in the Salt Lake  LDS Temple.

Gary

joined the Army Air Corps, as World War II was underway, and was a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber. He flew missions out of Africa and Italy over targets in Germany until nearly the end of the war.

To provide for his family he spent many years as a carpenter and built beautiful  homes  up and down the valley. The family spent two years away from home as Gary worked as a building supervisor for the LDS church. One year was spent in Choteau, Montana and another, just outside of Evanston, Wyoming, in Hilliard. Many good friends and memories were made during the family’s time there.

Gary

loved music and often sang in various groups or with the family.  Gary loved the outdoors, fishing, camping and hiking. He loved just going for a ride “up in the hills”.   He also grew a wonderful garden.  Even when he couldn’t use all of the produce he grew, he loved to share it with others.

Gary and Lois served a mission at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center and loved the people they served with.  They later served as ordinance workers in the temple.

Gary

was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his daughter Sharleen (Don) Wilson, a grandson (Ty Bolander), his parents, one brother and four sisters.

He is survived by children: Kent (Vicki) of Bellingham, WA, Ralph (Donna) of Evanston, WY, Bruce (Judy) of Las Vegas, NV, Michele Hepworth (Neil) of Blackfoot, and Jan Shields (Aaron) of DeRidder, LA,  and two brothers: Vance of Firth and Von of Boise, 24 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the Kimball Ward Chapel (744 N 600 E) in Firth. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning from 9:30 till 10:40 at the church. Interment will be in the Firth Cemetery with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard.

The family wishes to thank all who helped take care of Dad at Lincoln Court Assisted Living Center, also those who cared for him at EIRMC in his final days. We appreciate all of the condolences and the thoughtful expressions of love for the family.