Obituary for Mike Bolin's father

Floyd Bolin, 98
Alexandria Echo Press
Published Friday, March 07, 2008
Floyd Erland Bolin, 98, died peacefully February 24, 2008 at Bethany Nursing Home in Alexandria.

On March 17, 1909, Floyd Erland was born to John and Hilda (Johnson) Bolin in the home on the farm (where people were born by midwife) in Nelson. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed his faith at Fahlun Church in Nelson. Floyd was raised on the family farm and attended a one-room school not far from his home. Floyd graduated from the 8th grade at the young age of 14 but his education did not stop there. His dad taught him how to fix things and he soon became an accomplished mechanic. As a teenager he began to hire out to work on Ford Model T cars and trucks.
He left the farm and worked construction in Minneapolis for awhile and then took a job at the Alexandria Boat Works. He spent "four tech-school style educational years at the Lake Carlos Boys Camp."
Floyd was very proud of his many accomplishments at the camp and credited this time as the most challenging and interesting time in his life.

Floyd married Lois Schelin on October 14, 1937 at First Lutheran Church of Alexandria. They lived in Flint, Michigan, for a brief period of time before returning to Alexandria. In 1939, they opened the Dutch Girl Dairy, where Floyd organized the many aspects of starting a new business. After the dairy business was sold in 1958, Floyd worked for State Bond and Mortgage Company as a financial advisor. During this time, Floyd also found the time to be active in city government, city planning, the Alexandria Rotary Club and Calvary Lutheran Church.

One of Floyd’s favorite success stories was putting the local Alexandria aircraft builder Bellanca Aircraft back in the black. He took a six-month leave of absence (1964) from the bond company and took over the management of the assembly plant where he implemented dozens of assembly line efficiency improvements.

Floyd and Lois shared a passion for adventure and exploring. They traveled far and wide in the Wally Byam Caravan Club, The Airstream RV Association and served a term as president of the Minnesota Unit. They searched their roots back in Sweden four times and established new friends and found new relatives, leaving them with many loving and lasting memories.

In Floyd’s own hand, he wrote: "I owe my success to my father - who said: Learn to think! Use your head and hands! Do good work and give in full measure when hired. Don’t waste time - save it for old age."

Floyd was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Lois; sister, Ethel; and brothers, Vernol and Harold.

He is survived by a brother, Rueben of Nelson; two sons, Stan (wife, Ginger) of Georgetown Lake, MT, and Michael (long time friend, Debra Jensen) of St. Paul; two grandchildren, Brock (Megan) of Elko, NV, and Chas of Bozeman, MT; great-grandson, Nathan (son of Brock and Megan); several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Floyd was held at Calvary Lutheran Church of Alexandria on Tuesday, March 4 with Pastor Dale Olson officiating.
Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Rueben Bolin, Brock Bolin, Chas Bolin, Allen Ljung, Stan Johnson and Herman Felt.

Memorial gifts would be welcome on behalf of Floyd to Calvary Lutheran Church.