Phyllis Bolton

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN.VISITATION : One hour prior to services at the church.INTERMENT : Hubbard Cemetery, Hubbard, MNSURVIVORS : She will be lovingly remembered by her five children: Edward Bolton of Nevis, Mary Jo (Jim) Sackett of Menahga, MN, Dennis (Eileen) Bolton of Park Rapids, Alice (John) Strom of Nevis, Steve (Tami) Bolton of Nevis and LuAnn Bolton of Park Rapids, MN; 13 beloved grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and counting; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. PHYLLIS MARIE BOLTONNovember 13, 1914 ~ March 25, 2011 Phyllis Marie Bolton, loving Mother, Friend, Wife, Grandmother and Aunt, age 96, peacefully passed into eternity on March 25, 2011 at Care Age Country Home in Park Rapids, MN. Phyllis was born on November 13, 1914 in her rural farm home near LeMars, Iowa to Earl and Agnes (Hoyt) Morton. She attended the Union Township Consolidated Public School and graduated with the Class of 1931. Phyllis then went on to attend teachers training at Western Union College in LeMars. As a young woman, she taught country school near Quorn School for one year. Phyllis was united in marriage to Melvin Clyde Bolton on October 31, 1937 at the Union Township Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with five children; Edward, Mary Jo, Dennis, Alice and Steve. Phyllis devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious fried chicken, fish and filled cookies. In 1952, the Bolton family ventured northward to a farm on the eastern edge of the Hubbard Prairie adjoining the shores of the 2nd Crow Wing Lake southeast of Park Rapids, MN. When summer came, the family enjoyed the lakes and former Iowa neighbors came to visit. Many liked the area and that is how husband, Melvin got into the real estate business and started Pine and Lake Realty in Park Rapids, Minnesota. With her own children grown up, her love for students and teaching took her back into the classroom in 1966 where she taught at the two room school house in Hubbard. Phyllis went back to college and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education in 1970 at Bemidji State College and began teaching in the Park Rapids Elementary School System that year when Hubbard School closed. Her career as a 4th grade teacher continued until her retirement in 1981. Phyllis was a long time and faithful member of the Hubbard United Methodist Church where she had served as choir director, pianist, organist, Sunday School teacher and was active in the service and ministry of the United Methodist Women. Phyllis was a charter member of Alpha Delta Kappa Educational sorority. She was also involved for many years with the Pine Tree Homemakers Club of the eastern Hubbard Prairie. Music filled their home. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, cooking, needlework, writing and travel into her 90"s. Above all, Phyllis devoted her life to the Hubbard United Methodist Church, and her family who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her five children: Edward Bolton of Nevis, Mary Jo (Jim) Sackett of Menahga, MN, Dennis (Eileen) Bolton of Park Rapids, Alice (John) Strom of Nevis, Steve (Tami) Bolton of Nevis and LuAnn Bolton of Park Rapids, MN; 13 beloved grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and counting; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Earl Morton in 1966, by her husband, Melvin Bolton in 1974; her mother Agnes Morton in 1985, one brother, John Morton in 2007 and one sister, Margaret McQueen in 2008. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, Minnesota with Reverend Laurie Kantonen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Honorary casketbearers will be her grandsons.