November 13,2018
Loren Bolinger, 84
Funeral Celebration of Life services for Loren Bolinger, age 84, of Clearfield, Iowa, who passed away Monday, November 5, 2018, at Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston, after a long battle with dementia. Services will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7 PM. Interment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox, with military rites. Memorials may be given in his name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox, where we ‘Celebrate Life’.
Loren Darrell Bolinger was born on May 15, 1934, in Ringgold County, Iowa the son of John R. and Susie Hallie (Scott) Bolinger. He was the youngest of ten children, nine boys and one girl. He grew up farming in Ringgold and Taylor Counties where he loved to fish and coon hunt with his brother “Wimp” Weldon.
After three years of courtship, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Holland on June 19, 1955, at the Christian Church in Lenox, Iowa. After a year of marriage, he served his country in the United States Army for two years, being sent overseas to Germany. Loren returned home after being honorably discharged, where he and Dorothy continued to farm and raise their family. They were blessed with four children, Rodney Allan, Christine Sue, Gary Eugene and Virgil Dwayne. Loren farmed until 1985, when he went to work for Joe Beemer and then Ken and Evonne Jenette. He finished his working career out at Iowa Select, working with his son Virgil.
After his retirement, Loren enjoyed working in his garden and sitting on his front porch, enjoying the view of the country landscape. If you were lucky, and the garden year was good, you might get one of his melons. Loren and Dorothy also enjoyed going to Ravenwood to listen to the local music. Rain or shine, now or sleet, you couldn’t keep them away! Another hobby Loren enjoyed was playing lottery scratch off tickets. He would say, ‘you have to know when to play and when to stop’. He should know, since he won “BIG’ one day.
Loren was a kind hearted, simple country boy who never knew a stranger. He was a very loving, caring and giving father who taught his children the value of hard work.
Left to cherish Loren’s memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy Bolinger of Clearfield, Iowa; three sons, Rodney (Carroll Ann) Bolinger of Coin, Iowa; Gary (Lori) Bolinger of Bedford, Iowa; and Virgil (Diana) Bolinger of Clearfield, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Shalen, Christopher, Sarah, Jacob, Kimmie, Brodie and Krista; three great-grandchildren, Emily, Trey and Andrew; along with many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Loren in death are his parents, John R. and Susie Bolinger; a daughter, Christine Sue in November 10, 1980; eight brothers and sisters-in-law, Rex (Austie) Bolinger; Everett (Leona) Bolinger; Virgil Bolinger; Paul (Erma) Bolinger; Clarence (June) Bolinger; Lloyd (Violett) Bolinger; Weldon (Rose) Bolinger; Kenny (Marsha) Bolinger; and one sister and brother-in-law, Opal (Claud) Rhinehart.
Loren was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and steward of the land.
His enthusiasm, humor, and gentle kindness will be greatly missed.
May he be at peace in God’s loving care.
