Mary Jane Bohlender

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Mary Jane Bohlender died on September 25, 2024 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison, SD.  She was 93 years old.

Mary was born on May 3, 1931 to M.G. and Velma (Dawson) Finley in Rawlins, Wyoming. In 1941 she made her first most important decision to trust in Jesus as her savior. She graduated from Rawlins High School in 1950 and went on to attend Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado and then the University of Northern Colorado where she graduated in 1954 with a 

B. A. in Elementary Education. 

Mary taught school in Kremling and Ft. Morgan, Colorado and Cody, Wyoming before meeting and marrying James Bohlender in 1959. They made their home on a dairy farm in LaSalle, Colorado where they welcomed daughter, Barbara, in 1962.  Their son, David, joined their family in 1965. In 1970 Jim and Mary Jane moved to Lamar, Nebraska where they farmed until Jim retired.  In 2009, they settled in Holyoke, Colorado and in 2020 they chose to relocate with their daughter and son-in-law in Madison, South Dakota.

Mary Jane was thankful to be able to be a stay-at-home farm wife and mom. She lovingly poured into her family, but also into other women through Bible studies in her neighborhood and church as well as into kids through AWANA and other programs. Mary enjoyed sewing and gardening and hosting frequent dinner guests and missionaries in her home. Mary Jane and Jim also ventured through nearly every state, often to visit their kids and grandkids and great grandchildren.  Her greatest joy was seeing others come to faith and grow in Jesus Christ, and her legacy lives on in the many lives touched by her sweet spirit.

Surviving Mary Jane are her son David (Sherry) Bohlender of Wichita, KS, daughter Barbara (Dave) Bishop of Madison, SD, grandchildren Andrew Bohlender, Eva (Joe) Schmidt, Nathan (Sara) Bishop, Zak (Kelly) Bishop, Cody (Jenna) Bishop, Lindsey (Kofi) Asamoah-Boadu, and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brother, Mark, parents, M. G. and Velma, and husband, Jim.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Holyoke First Baptist Church of Holyoke, CO at 2:00 pm with burial at a later date in Holyoke Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 hour preceding the service and a fellowship time will follow the service, both at the church. Memorial gifts may be given in Mary Jane’s honor to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO 80997.

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