Margaret Bolender
Margaret E. Bolender, 96, cherished mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away July 24, 2014, in hospice care at the Village at Skyline, Colorado Springs. Born April 21, 1918, in Norris, Illinois, Margaret was the daughter of Grover C. and Beatrice (Hukill) Miller. She had five brothers and two sisters, all of whom predeceased her.
With a goal to complete high school, Margaret, at age 16, moved away from the farm and her nuclear family to Canton, Illinois where she graduated from Canton High. She boarded with Clark and LaFerne Williams. The Williams’, who had no children, embraced Margaret as their own. Their influence and love surrounded and nurtured Margaret, her husband and children. Margaret honored Clark and LaFerne’s memory and kept their legacy all the days of her life.
On July 14, 1943, Margaret married Lyle S. Bolender (Bollie), a young lieutenant in the U.S. Army; for the next 21 years, Margaret supported Bollie’s career and appreciated every assignment from Japan to Michigan, Kentucky, Germany, and Iowa. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1964, Bollie and Margaret moved to Colorado Springs. Bollie died on July 12, 1980, four months after retirement from his second career at Hewlett-Packard.
A banker by profession, Margaret was appointed Operations Officer for The East Colorado Springs National Bank in April 1969, having joined the East Bank in August, 1964 when it was organized. Previously, Margaret worked with The National Bank of Canton, Illinois, The Plaza State Bank in Des Moines, Iowa, and retired from her career at Air Academy National Bank, Colorado Springs. Margaret holds several certificates from the American Institute of Banking.
“A gracious, graceful, lovely, and classy lady,” accurately describes Margaret. From creating a home in post-WWII Japan, to setting up campsites during family camping trips in Europe, to learning to ski at the Broadmoor, to taking golf lessons, to baking white fruit cakes and 100 dozen cookies each Christmas for sharing with friends and neighbors, Margaret generously extended her warmth and charm to many. She shared her time, talents, and leadership with Chapter EM-PEO, Daughters of the Nile – Ruhamah Temple, Retired Officers’ Wives Club, Pikes Peak Chapter of MOAA Singles, and First United Methodist Church. Margaret especially enjoyed the several years volunteering with the Hawaiian Open PGA Tour Event in Honolulu. The event organizer and his wife name themselves among Margaret’s “adopted children”!
Yes, “her children arise and call her blessed.” Margaret is survived by her daughter, Margo McCoy Howe, and son-in-law, Gary Howe, of Colorado Springs; and her son, Milo Bolender, and daughter-in-law, Jocey Bolender, of Hudson, Ohio. Three granddaughters also survive: Amy McCoy (AZ), Angie Alley (NM), and Brooke Bolender (OH); as well as five step-grandchildren: Trevor Howe (MN), Travis Howe (NY), and Jacob, Maggie, and Benjamin Risma (OH); and two grandsons-in-law: Brian Anderson and Morgan Alley. Dear ones Kathy and Dick Hills (CA) and Mara Ridley (GA) also survive, as do nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Margo, Milo, and family express heart-felt appreciation and affection to the staff at the Village at Skyline for their gentle, tender, and loving concern for Margaret. The Village was her home for almost 20 years, and Margaret loved each of you. We also are grateful to Brookdale Hospice – Colorado Springs for their comfort and care during Margaret’s final days.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Margaret’s life at First United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these organizations. Please note that your donation is in memory of Mrs. Margaret Bolender:
Youth Singers
First United Methodist Church
420 N. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Children’s Transportation Fund
c/o Al Kaly Shrine
635 W. Corona Ave.
PO Box 193
Pueblo, CO 81004
Cottey College
Institutional Advancement
1000 W. Austin
Nevada, MO 64772